AUBURN — A pair of men were indicted Wednesday on three dozen counts of burglary and theft stemming from a rash of car break-ins across Auburn.
Scott A. Britton, 18, of 197 Bartlett St., Lewiston, and Thomas Albert Roy, 20, of 7 Chestnut St., Auburn, were indicted by an Androscoggin County grand jury.
According to police, one of the suspects told investigators they used money from the thefts to buy liquor. Roy, according to a police affidavit, told a detective that he earned more than $100 a night breaking into vehicles.
The charges stem from a spree of vehicle break-ins across the Goff Hill neighborhood throughout October. Taken during the burglaries were items, including laptop computers, iPods, a generator, cameras, Kindles and money.
“Albert estimated he and Britton committed between 600 and 1,000 motor vehicle burglaries during the past month,” according to the affidavit. “Both men worked together; one breaking into a vehicle while the other was the lookout, unless there were two vehicles.
“Albert stated they used the money they stole from the vehicles to purchase alcohol,” the affidavit said. “Albert had no interest in finding employment because he didn’t have a diploma and earns over $100 a night committing vehicle burglaries.”
On Oct. 10, Albert and Britton were arrested on charges of vehicle burglaries in the south Auburn area, specifically Broad and South Main streets. The arrests led police to believe the two men may be responsible for the break-in spree in the neighborhoods around Goff Hill.
Detective Terrance S. McCormick went to Albert’s apartment on Chestnut Street, where he found Albert and Britton sleeping, according to the affidavit. The men spoke with the detective and admitted to breaking into vehicles in both Lewiston and Auburn.
According to the affidavit, Albert consented to a search of his bedroom. Police recovered three laptop computers, four iPods, an iPad, cameras, a skill saw, a Kindle book, a police-issue bulletproof vest and other items.
Police said Albert admitted to selling some of the stolen items on the street. Other items were pawned, including a $400 pair of binoculars for which Albert was paid $40 at an Auburn pawnshop.
McCormick, in his affidavit, said Britton also admitted to the burglaries, providing details about what he wore while breaking into vehicles and what was taken.
Britton and Roy were jailed, but have since been released. Each was issued a summons ordering them to appear in court to answer the charges.
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