AUGUSTA – A Waterville man accused of pretending to be a police officer and forcing another man to withdraw money from an ATM made a court appearance Monday on a separate charge.

Steven F. Shaw Jr., 26, pleaded not guilty to unlawful use of property, allegedly for using a vehicle without authorization.

Shaw, who is being held at the Kennebec County jail, entered his plea in Augusta District Court via video link. He also faces charges in Cumberland and Somerset counties.

According to a court affidavit by Oakland Police Officer Bryant LaVerdiere, a vehicle belonging to an Oakland man was found by state police in Palmyra about 1 a.m. Nov. 13.

LaVerdiere contacted the vehicle owner, who said he had lent it to Shaw at 10:30 p.m., Nov. 12 to go to the store, and had texted Shaw unsuccessfully, telling him he wanted the car back.

The affidavit sought an arrest warrant for Shaw, saying he was “on the run due to being a suspect in several burglaries in St. Albans and Palmyra” on the night the vehicle was stolen.

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Published reports said Shaw is a suspect in several Somerset County burglaries that occurred after 11 p.m. Nov. 12, including one of Kippy’s Korner Store in Hartland where some $1,600 worth of items were stolen, including cigarettes, beer and candy. A break-in also was reported at the St. Albans Town Office, and there was an attempted break-in at Palmyra Variety Store.

In Cumberland County, Shaw is accused of theft by extortion and impersonating a public servant. Police said he went to a Windham residence on Nov. 21, claimed to be a Cumberland County sheriff’s deputy and threatened to arrest the occupant if he didn’t give him money.

District Court Judge Robert E. Mullen set bail on the unauthorized use of property charge — a misdemeanor — at $2,000 cash with the condition that Shaw have no contact with the vehicle owner. Mullen also agreed to reserve a bail argument until Shaw gets a lawyer.

Kennebec Journal Staff Writer Betty Adams can be contacted at 621-5631 or at:

badams@centralmaine.com

 


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