LEWISTON – More than a dozen vehicles have been stolen in the Twin Cities since the start of spring and police believe some of the suspects may be dangerous.
But Lewiston and Auburn are not the only cities seeing a rash of vehicle thefts. Investigators say the same core group of thieves have stolen cars, trucks and other vehicles from surrounding areas.
Dozens more vehicles have been stolen from towns in Kennebec, Oxford, Cumberland and Penobscot counties as well, police said.
“They all seem to be at least loosely related to this particular group of individuals,” said Lewiston Police Detective David Chick.
A dozen of the stolen vehicles have been recovered in Monmouth – but only after chases with police and damage to property resulting from thieves trying to run from investigators, Chick said.
Some of the vehicles recovered, so far, have been found filled with stolen goods. Some of the cars and trucks were in good condition.
Others were demolished.
“We’ve had a couple instances where they crashed the cars, apparently just for the fun of it,” Chick said.
Those working the case say the thefts go beyond simple joy-riding. The bandits steal cars, attach stolen plates and then use the car or truck in the commission of more serious crimes.
“It really creates a lot of confusion in our investigations,” Chick said.
By Thursday night, police had two men named in warrants charging them with theft and other charges stemming from the rash of stolen vehicles.
Investigators in Lewiston and other towns were looking for Travis Enman and Edward Barbioni, both 20. Chick said they have been connected to several of the recent thefts.
Investigators say the suspects may have met in jail, planned their crime spree and enlisted others to assist them.
In some cases, thieves find vehicles with keys inside. They simply drive away.
In other situations, suspects attend parties or other functions and look around the home for vehicle keys. They pocket the keys and return later to steal the car or truck parked in the yard, police said.
Vehicles have been stolen from private homes as well as businesses, according to Chick. Thieves use a vehicle for a period of time, only to ditch it and steal another car or truck nearby.
Although known to live in Lewiston, police said the Enman and Barbioni may be living out of motels as they move from town to town. And catching them may present risks.
“They are believed to be hiding out,” Chick said. “They are desperate and we consider them armed and dangerous.”
Catching Enman and Barbioni, Chick said, may lead police from several jurisdictions to others involved in the vehicle theft ring. And it may provide clues to other crimes committed in the same areas.
Currently, State Police, sheriff’s officials from several counties and investigators from numerous towns are working on the case.
Chick asked that anyone with information about the suspects call their local police department. In Lewiston, Chick can be contacted at 795-9000 ext. 234.
mlaflamme@sunjournal.com
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