HARPSWELL
Two men have been arrested and charged with theft for allegedly stealing 19 crates full of lobster worth more than $9,000 from lobster dealers in Harpswell and South Bristol since late September.
The Maine Marine Patrol announced the arrests Tuesday following a month-long investigation.
Charged were Troy J. Woodman, 34, of Warren and Shane Hall, 29, of Portland.
Woodman was arrested by Marine Patrol Sgt. Robert Beal on Oct. 17 and taken to Cumberland County Jail.
Hall is currently in Knox County Jail facing six other charges, including aggravated assault and kidnapping for allegedly forcing a woman into his car as she walked home in Rockland in late September.
The Marine Patrol investigation revealed that the two men allegedly stole lobsters from Quahog Lobster in Harpswell between late-September and mid- October. The thefts were uncovered through surveillance conducted by Beal and Marine Patrol officers Rebecca Kavanaugh and Christopher Hilton.
A total of 19 crates were allegedly stolen by the two over the course of the seven days.
Woodman has been charged with one count of Class C theft for allegedly stealing lobsters from Quahog Lobster on Sept. 17. Additional charges against Woodman are expected for thefts that occurred at Quahog Lobster on Sept. 24, 25, 27, and Oct. 6; and at Maggie’s
Seafood in South Bristol on Oct. 9 and Oct. 16.
Hall has been charged with one count of Class D theft and one count of Class C theft for allegedly stealing lobsters from Quahog Lobster on Sept. 25 and 27.
The estimated value of the stolen lobster and crates exceeds $9,000.
In Maine, Class C crimes carry a penalty of up to five years in jail and a fine of $5,000, while Class D crimes are punishable by up to 364 days in jail and a fine of $2,000.
An investigation into the sale and purchase of the stolen lobsters is ongoing.
“We take cases like this very seriously,” said Marine Patrol Col. Jon Cornish. “Theft of this magnitude deprives hard working, law abiding Mainers of their livelihood and undermines our coastal economy. I’m very proud of the officers and sergeant for their thorough investigation.”
dmoore@timesrecord.com
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