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MICHAUD

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MESERVE

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COLE MESERVE

ALFRED — A trio of young people, whom police say kicked in doors and stole guns, dirt bikes, jewelry and more, allegedly converting the stolen merchandise to cash to feed a drug habit, remained behind bars at York County Jail this morning.

Maine State Police Trooper Jeremy Forbes estimated the guns and dirt bikes alone are valued at about $25,000.

The three, police say, went on a spree through rural communities in York, Oxford and Cumber-land counties throughout October and November, stealing upwards of 20 firearms, electronics, dirt bikes, cash ”“ and even marijuana. They were arrested Friday as a result of a joint investigation by Maine State Police and York County Sheriff’s Office.

Springvale District Court Judge Andre Janelle doubled bail for the three suspects ”“ Christopher Michaud, 23, of Limerick, Amber Meserve, 21, of Limerick, and Cole Meserve, 20, of Standish ”“ to $20,000 each during a brief video court appearance from the jail Monday afternoon. If they make bail, each of the suspects must abide by several conditions, including a 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. curfew; random searches for alcohol, illegal drugs and weapons; substance abuse counseling; and daily check-ins with state police by telephone. As well, none of the trio are to have contact with each other.

Forbes, the investigator at Troop A in Alfred, said the trio is responsible for more than 20 daylight burglaries in Limerick, Dayton, Lyman, Limington, Gorham, Denmark, Brownfield and Sebago.

The Meserves are siblings, and Michaud, court records show, shared a home with Amber Meserve in Limerick.

“I’m glad we were able to take them off the streets,” said Forbes by telephone Monday.

So far, Amber Meserve and Christopher Michaud are each charged with one burglary and one theft of a firearm that took place at a home in Lyman Oct. 1. The charges are Class B felonies, court documents show. Cole Meserve is charged with that burglary and theft ”“ and is also charged with Class B burglary in connection with a break-in at the Limerick home of his sister and Michaud on Nov. 21. 

Maine Public Safety spokesman Steve McCausland said it is believed that Amber Meserve had her two small children in her vehicle during some of the burglaries. He said search warrants were issued last week, and two houses in Limerick and Buxton were searched Friday and early Saturday morning. Also searched was a self-storage locker facility in Limerick. Investigators recovered several guns, three dirt bikes, televisions, computers and other electronic devices, and what McCausland described as “a large amount” of marijuana.

McCausland said a second woman is also likely to face charges. He said investigators located a large amount of heroin during one of the searches.

The trio are scheduled to appear at York County Superior Court in Alfred Feb. 13.

Several of the firearms that have been reported stolen have not been located, and police are asking anyone with information to call Forbes at the Maine State Police at 657”“3030.  

Forbes, for his part, said pooling the manpower of the two agencies worked well.

“We couldn’t have done it without both departments working together,” said Forbes.

— Senior Staff Writer Tammy Wells can be contacted at 324”“4444 (local call in Sanford) or 282”“1535, ext. 327 or [email protected].