[Slickcraft]

In today's paper:

Marine Patrol investigating night of
boat break-ins at foot of Alton Bay
ALTON — Authorities are investigating
an apparent evening of mischief
that occurred in Alton Bay over
Labor Day weekend.
Marine Patrol Sergeant Eric Robertson
said as many as 20 boats were
broken into during the night hours of
Saturday, September 4. He said most
of the boats were at Parker Marine,
though some boats at nearby private
docks were also targeted. Robertson
said his agency is cooperating with
Alton Police to investigate the incidents.
The individuals who broke into the
boats were apparently in search of
something to steal, Robertson said.
Boat by boat, the prospective thieves
unfastened enough of the boat covers
to slip inside the cabin. “People entered
boats, went through glove compartments,
looking for valuables,” he said.
So far, no items of value were reported
stolen, Robertson said. In a couple of
cases, the disappointed thieves discharged
fi re extinguishers into the water and left empy beer cans in their
wake. “Very random, it seems almost
juvenile,” Robertson said about the incident.
Although nothing as yet appears
to be stolen, he said the ill actors could
be charged with criminal mischief.
The marina sits at the mouth of
the Merrymeeting River as it enters
Alton Bay, and boats on both sides of
the river were entered. The circumstances
suggest that the perpetrators
may have used a boat for the break-in
spree, which is why Marine Patrol is
involved in the investigation.
Because many of the victims are outof-
state residents who were visiting
for the weekend, Robertson said offi -
cers are still interviewing witnesses
and the owners of the boats. He asked
anyone who knows something about
the break-ins to call Marine Patrol at
293-2037 or Alton Police at 875-0757.
“If anyone has any information they
can call either one of us,” he said.
— Adam Drapcho