Miss-Delectable
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http://morningsentinel.mainetoday.com/news/local/2613607.shtml
An aging, deaf cocker spaniel dog was credited Thursday with helping its owner find a Skowhegan man who is accused of entering the house off Nyes Corner Drive and hiding under clothing in a closet.
Travis E. Wood, 18, of Milburn Street, Skowhegan, was arrested later Thursday, but police said they still are uncertain why he was in the house and what his intentions were.
Wood works as a salesman for a vacuum cleaner company and insists he was not doing anything wrong, police said.
"Right now, it looks like criminal trespass, not burglary," Fairfield Police Chief John Emery said. "You have to commit another crime, like an assault or a theft for it to be a burglary ... ."
Emery said the homeowner, whom he did not identify, arrived home while Wood was in the house. He said Wood had parked his car away from the house where it could not be seen.
"The dog was acting weird, it kept going from one area of the house to the bedroom area of the house," Emery said. "The dog went to a walk-in closet, barking."
Patrol officers Amie Trahan and Karen O'Donnell, who were among six police units sent to the scene near U.S. Route 201 told the same story of the little dog.
"Finally the home owner followed the dog to the closet. It's an older dog and it's deaf," Trahan said. "When the homeowner picked up some clothing he saw the guy's face. He asked him what he was doing there and he pulled him out."
The man, identified later as Wood, took off running, she said.
The dog even took his owner outside to a point where police believe Wood jumped a fence to make his quick escape.
"He didn't waste any time leaving the scene, either," Emery said. "I was there within a minute, a minute and a half, and he was nowhere in sight."
Maine state police Trooper Bruce Scott assisted in the search as did Clinton Police Chief Randy Wing. Oakland police were standing by at the town line, also ready to assist, Emery said.
Police said they were looking for a man in a blue dress shirt, a tie, dress pants and shoes. They also were looking for a purple Plymouth Breeze identified by a neighbor.
"Apparently he does sell vacuum cleaners," Emery said after having checked with a local Electrolux dealer. He said the dealer also had a photo of the employee, his address and described what Wood had been wearing Thursday morning.
It all matched, Emery said.
Trooper Scott spotted the car at about 2:20 p.m. on Route 201 and Wood was arrested. Wood apparently had returned home, changed clothes and was on his way back toward Fairfield and Waterville.
Deputy Police Chief Steve Trahan interviewed Wood, who said he was trying to sell vacuum cleaners Thursday, but did not have a vacuum cleaner with him or any brochures about the product.
"He said the door was open, he walked in and closed it behind him and got scared when the home owner came in," Trahan said.
Emery said the case ended well, with nobody getting hurt, but it shows that people should lock their doors.
"It could have been worse," he said. "It's a good reminder to make sure houses and garages are locked."
An aging, deaf cocker spaniel dog was credited Thursday with helping its owner find a Skowhegan man who is accused of entering the house off Nyes Corner Drive and hiding under clothing in a closet.
Travis E. Wood, 18, of Milburn Street, Skowhegan, was arrested later Thursday, but police said they still are uncertain why he was in the house and what his intentions were.
Wood works as a salesman for a vacuum cleaner company and insists he was not doing anything wrong, police said.
"Right now, it looks like criminal trespass, not burglary," Fairfield Police Chief John Emery said. "You have to commit another crime, like an assault or a theft for it to be a burglary ... ."
Emery said the homeowner, whom he did not identify, arrived home while Wood was in the house. He said Wood had parked his car away from the house where it could not be seen.
"The dog was acting weird, it kept going from one area of the house to the bedroom area of the house," Emery said. "The dog went to a walk-in closet, barking."
Patrol officers Amie Trahan and Karen O'Donnell, who were among six police units sent to the scene near U.S. Route 201 told the same story of the little dog.
"Finally the home owner followed the dog to the closet. It's an older dog and it's deaf," Trahan said. "When the homeowner picked up some clothing he saw the guy's face. He asked him what he was doing there and he pulled him out."
The man, identified later as Wood, took off running, she said.
The dog even took his owner outside to a point where police believe Wood jumped a fence to make his quick escape.
"He didn't waste any time leaving the scene, either," Emery said. "I was there within a minute, a minute and a half, and he was nowhere in sight."
Maine state police Trooper Bruce Scott assisted in the search as did Clinton Police Chief Randy Wing. Oakland police were standing by at the town line, also ready to assist, Emery said.
Police said they were looking for a man in a blue dress shirt, a tie, dress pants and shoes. They also were looking for a purple Plymouth Breeze identified by a neighbor.
"Apparently he does sell vacuum cleaners," Emery said after having checked with a local Electrolux dealer. He said the dealer also had a photo of the employee, his address and described what Wood had been wearing Thursday morning.
It all matched, Emery said.
Trooper Scott spotted the car at about 2:20 p.m. on Route 201 and Wood was arrested. Wood apparently had returned home, changed clothes and was on his way back toward Fairfield and Waterville.
Deputy Police Chief Steve Trahan interviewed Wood, who said he was trying to sell vacuum cleaners Thursday, but did not have a vacuum cleaner with him or any brochures about the product.
"He said the door was open, he walked in and closed it behind him and got scared when the home owner came in," Trahan said.
Emery said the case ended well, with nobody getting hurt, but it shows that people should lock their doors.
"It could have been worse," he said. "It's a good reminder to make sure houses and garages are locked."
Stupid punk crook!