SKOWHEGAN — Two men have been charged with theft and criminal mischief for allegedly using burglary tools to steal money from coin machines at the Mr. Bubbles laundromat on Waterville Road in Skowhegan.
Police initially responded to a theft report from the laundromat on Wednesday and were shown a surveillance video, which showed two men tampering with a coin machine to extract money, Detective Sgt. Josh King said in a news release. The video was released on social media and through a canvass of the neighborhood.
Later in the day Wednesday, police received an anonymous tip that Robert White, 27, of Waterville, one of the two men suspected in the theft, was back at the laundromat.
Police found White, who was on bail for an unrelated charge. Following a search of White, police recovered the tools allegedly used to take the money from the coin machines, along with some of the stolen money. White arrested on a bail violation for new criminal conduct and charged with violation of conditional release. He also was charged with criminal mischief, theft and possession of theft devices, or burglary tools, all misdemeanors.
Police also charged Mark Palang, 36, of Albuquerque, New Mexico, who police said was present for the theft and was identified as the other man involved. Palang was issued criminal summonses for theft and criminal mischief.
King said Thursday that White’s status of being free on bail allowed police to arrest him.
Additional charges may be brought once the case is reviewed by the Somerset County District Attorney’s Office.
This case was investigated by Officer Ryan Blakeney, with assistance from the detective division, King said.
Doug Harlow — 612-2367
Twitter:@Doug_Harlow