State Police Investigating Robbery In Oakland And Burglary In Sidney, Seeking Same Suspect For Both Incidents

The Maine State Police are investigating the attempted robbery of man in Oakland and an attempted burglary of a Sidney convenience store  early Sunday morning, and police believe that both alleged crimes were committed by the same man.

According to Maine Department of Public Safety Spokesman Steve McCausland, Maine State Police Cpl. Diane Vance responded to Annie’s Market on the Middle Road in Sidney for the attempted burglary.  McCausland said the front door had been smashed in and a bullet was shot through the door, but there was no evidence that anyone entered the store, though there was damage to the property that police estimated at "a couple of thousand dollars."

McCausland said surveillance cameras at the store captured images of the intruder.  He had parked his car behind a dumpster about 1:30 am.  The man was wearing a dark trench coat, jeans and skull face mask, McCausland said.

According to McCausland, the vehicle is believed to be either a Honda Civic, Hyundai Elantra or Nissan Altima,  likely blue.

After leaving the scene, McCausland said the vehicle left headed west on Dinsmore Road.  About an hour later in Oakland, an armed robbery attempt took place at Mac’s Citgo, and police believe the same man was involved. McCausland said a person from Waterville who was trying to fix his tire in the parking lot of the store was approached by a man in a car who pointed a gun at him demanding money.  The gunman left empty-handed driving toward Sidney and no one was injured, McCausland said.

Anyone with information on either of the incidents is asked to call the State Police in Augusta at  624-7076 and ask for Cpl. Vance.