March 28, 2024
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Man linked to Addison burglaries goes to court

CALAIS – A man accused of breaking into the Addison post office and a home for people with handicaps appeared in 4th District Court on Tuesday.

Miguel Lopez Rodriguez, 21, is charged with two counts of burglary after he allegedly broke into the post office and the Addison Point Developmental Achievement Center sometime around April 28.

The center is a residential home for people with physical and mental handicaps. It is located across from the post office.

An affidavit filed in 4th District Court says he implicated two other men in both incidents, but nobody else has been charged. Prosecutors said Rodriguez is an illegal alien who is a Mexican citizen but has been living in Addison.

A U.S. Border Patrol agent was asked to translate in District Court after Rodriguez told Judge John Romei he spoke little English.

The judge told Rodriguez that if he is convicted he could be sentenced up to 10 years for the break-in at the post office and up to five years for the Addison Point break-in.

The judge set a probable cause hearing for June 25 in Machias.

According to the affidavit, Trooper Barry Curtis of the Maine State Police found a broken window on the north side of the post office building that had been unlocked. He found blood, the affidavit said, suggesting that the perpetrator had cut himself while breaking the window.

“Blood was in evidence throughout the building and it appeared someone had tried to wipe up the blood,” the affidavit said. Police found a rag used to clean up the blood.

The trooper said that drawers were open and their contents left in disarray. Keys used to lock up the building were taken from the hook and found on the floor. The U.S. Postal Service is conducting an inventory to determine if any items are missing, the court document said.

While Curtis was investigating that break-in, he received a report of a break-in at Addison Point. Entry to the center was gained by prying open a window at the rear of the building. Taken in that incident were a radio, VCR and videotapes, the affidavit said.

The Maine State Police suspected Rodriguez’s involvement and he was found at a home of a “family who had been hiding him since the burglaries,” the affidavit said.

Police discovered that Rodriguez had a cut on his hand. Under questioning by police, the affidavit said, he admitted his role in the burglaries and implicated the two other men.

In court Tuesday, the judge set bail at $1,000 or $10,000 surety.

Rodriguez’s attorney, David Mitchell of Calais, said that the Mexican consulate would be made aware of Rodriguez’s presence.


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