RUMFORD — Police arrested two Rumford men Wednesday following seven burglaries over seven days in Rumford and Mexico.

More arrests are expected, according to police.

From Nov. 15-21, four burglaries took place in Mexico, as well as three in Rumford.

Rumford Detective George Cayer said

, 26, and

, 23, have been charged in the Rumford burglaries. Both were transported to Oxford County Jail and given a court date of Feb. 13.

Varnum was charged with three counts of burglary, three counts of theft and two counts of criminal mischief.

Brochu was charged with one count of burglary, one count of theft and one count of criminal mischief.

“Currently, there’s one person we’ve been looking for (whom) we can’t seem to locate,” Cayer said. “And the other one will be arrested next week sometime.” 

Hodsdon said in the Mexico burglaries, Varnum has been charged with four counts of burglary and four counts of theft. Brochu has not been charged in the Mexico incidents.

Because Varnum has prior convictions, the burglary and theft charges were elevated to Class B and C, respectively, Mexico Police Chief Roy Hodsdon said.

Hodsdon said Varnum is on probation for a prior burglary, as is another suspect yet to be arrested.

Two more arrests are pending next week, he said. 

Cayer said that on Dec. 8, the State Police Underwater Recovery Team dove into the Swift River near the Mexico Recreation Park and recovered a safe from a Rumford business that had been burglarized.

It was the dive team’s second attempt to retrieve the evidence.

“The first time they dove, the water level was too high,” he said.

While none of the cash was found, as well as stolen food and alcohol, police were able to recover some of the property, like tools and a safe.

Cayer and Hodsdon agreed that drug issues were the motivation for the burglaries.

Hodsdon added, “We hope that by solving them (the burglaries) and making the arrests that that will curb this activity.”

“We’ve got a couple more people to arrest,” Rumford Police Chief Stacy Carter said. “Then it should be wrapped up.”

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