ARUNDEL — Selectman Byron Kindley and a woman deputies described as his girlfriend are under arrest and were being held at York County Jail this morning following a pre-dawn raid at the business Kindley operates on Route 111.

York County Sheriff’s deputies executed a search warrant at Arundel Gas at 661 Alfred Road (Route 111), at just about 4:30 a.m., said Sheriff Maurice Ouellette.

Details were few this morning, but deputies allege that Kindley operated a scheme where he would receive property stolen from burglaries in Arundel and potentially from properties in other communities.

Ouellette said individuals would apparently pawn the stolen merchandise with Kindley, who would in turn allegedly pay for the items with drugs ”“ namely the prescription drug Vicodin ”“ or cash. Vicodin is a combination of acetaminophen and hydrocodone, prescribed to treat moderate to severe pain. It is among a range of prescription drugs that are frequently diverted for illegal purposes, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse.

Kindley, who was elected selectman in 2009 and whose term is set to expire in 2012, was charged with receiving stolen property and trafficking in scheduled drugs. Both charges are felonies, said Ouellette.

Ouellette wouldn’t say how Kindley allegedly acquired the drugs.

His girlfriend, Tina Gagne, 46, has been charged with felony drug trafficking.

Police recovered I-pods, computers, jewelry and other items as a result of the raid, the sheriff said.

At press time this morning, deputies were still investigating. Ouellette had scheduled a news conference for 10 a.m., which is after the Journal Tribune’s daily deadline.

“This is on-going,” said Ouellette of the investigation that began several days ago.

Bail information was not available this morning. Kindley and Gagne were still being processed at York County Jail at press time. Ouellette said he expected the pair would be arraigned by a video link from the jail to Biddeford District Court this afternoon.

Ouellette said arrests like these are a benefit of a town having a dedicated law enforcement  presence ”“ Arundel contracts with the York County Sheriff’s Office for the services of Deputy Matt Nadeau.

“The deputy can have the pulse and ears and feel of the community and can be proactive,” he said. “He’s a great guy.”

— Staff Writer Tammy Wells can be contacted at 324-4444 or twells@journaltribune.com.