PARIS — A grand jury has indicted a Mexico man on felony burglary charges after police said he broke into the same house in Rumford on three occasions to steal marijuana.
Michael E. Child, 51, of Swett Avenue was indicted on three felony counts of burglary and misdemeanor charges of theft and criminal mischief by an Oxford County grand jury on Friday. If convicted on all counts, he faces over 30 years in prison.
According to the indictment, Child is accused of breaking into the home in August, September and October and stealing marijuana from a licensed medical user, as well as personal belongings valued at more than $1,000.
He was arrested 11 days after the final burglary on Oct. 2.
“This looks to be a case where he knew the victim … and broke in and stole plants and other property as well,” Rumford police Chief Stacy Carter said.
Police recovered and returned a compound bow, Carter said, though a chain saw was not found. Carter did not say how police tied Child to the burglaries.
“It was our belief they were linked all along,” he said. “But through an interview, we determined that was the case.”
Child is accused of twice breaking through a door and once through a window to get into the home and damaging them in the process.
A court date has not yet been determined.
Send questions/comments to the editors.
