BATH
For the second time in less than three weeks, a man has been arrested by Bath police in connection with a stolen motor vehicle and this time, was allegedly found with a firearm stolen from an unlocked car.
Monday evening, 18-year-old Damon Peacock, a transient from the Bath area, was arrested for possession a stolen firearm.
On Monday, Bath Police Department received a report of a stolen motor vehicle from Middle Street. The vehicle was recovered later that day in the cemetery off Oak Grove Avenue. As investigators examined the car and surrounding area in the cemetery for evidence, they located a spent shell casing and a cartridge from a .380 caliber handgun.
Later that day, Bath police took a report of a stolen .380 caliber handgun from an unlocked car not far from where the vehicle was reported stolen from Middle Street. The owner of the firearm told police the gun was loaded when it was taken. Investigators believed the two thefts were related.
Bath police received information that led them to suspect Peacock and learned that he was at friend’s home on Chops Cross Road in Woolwich.
When Bath Police Officer Garrett Olson and Sagadahoc County Deputy Matthew Shiers went to the residence to investigate, Olson located Peacock and found the stolen gun on him.
Peacock was arrested and charged with receiving stolen property, a Class B felony because the property stolen was a firearm.
Bath police say the investigation is ongoing and that Peacock will likely receive additional charges including theft of property from motor vehicle and theft of a motor vehicle.
At the time of his arrest Monday, Peacock was on bail for a Bath Police Department arrest on Dec. 21 that involved charges of unauthorized use of motor vehicle, failing to stop, and operating without a license.
Following that arrest, police said Peacock was allegedly spotted driving a stolen Ford Explorer on Front Street by an officer who attempted to stop the vehicle. Peacock reportedly ignored the lights and siren but was eventually stopped at Washington and Centre streets.
Peacock was arrested and charged with operating without a license, unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, failure to stop and illegal possession of liquor.
His bail was revoked Monday on the previous charges and no bail was allowed on the current charges. He was taken to Two Bridges Regional Jail in Wiscasset and has a March 7 arraignment date.
“We would once again emphasize the importance of locking your vehicle,” said Bath Police Lt. Robert Savary. “Criminals will oftentimes check to see if a parked vehicle is locked, if it is they move on to another. If it is unlocked, they will go through it to see if they can locate anything valuable.”
He added, “We also want to emphasize responsible gun ownership. Firearms should be stored in a safe place. If left in a car, it needs to be locked. We are fortunate that this stolen gun was not used to hurt anyone.”
dmoore@timesrecord.com
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