HARPSWELL
A Topsham man granted a stay of execution before serving a two- year prison sentence for stealing lobsters from a local fisherman was again arrested in New Sharon for theft.
William H. Poore, 38, of West Merrill Road in Topsham was convicted of Class C theft for stealing lobsters from Harpswell lobsterman Jim Merryman in 2010. Poore worked as the sternman that summer for Merryman, who owns Reversing Falls Lobster Wharf on Ash Point Road and Potts Harbor Lobster in Potts Harbor.
Merryman alleged that, in one incident, Poore and Larry R. Campbell, also of West Campbell Road in Topsham, absconded with eight-and-ahalf crates of lobsters in less than 24 hours for a value of $ 3,300. Merryman further alleged that, during the 2010 lobster season, Poore and Campbell stole several thousand pounds of lobsters from his business.
An investigation into those charges resulted in Poore being charged with three counts of felony burglary and three counts of theft by unauthorized taking or transfer.
Information about the status of Campbell’s case was not available at press time.
In September of this year, Poore reached a plea agreement and was convicted of Class C theft, according to Cumberland County Assistant District Attorney Michael Madigan. He was sentenced to two years in prison, but given a stay of execution, Madigan said.
But before he reported to serve that sentence, Poore was arrested in the town of New Sharon and charged with burglary, theft and violating conditions of release after a Maine State Police trooper allegedly caught him stealing jewelry from a home.
The Sun Journal reported Oct. 27 that Trooper Randall Keaten arrested Poore, also known as William Tozier, after finding Poore in the house and a truck loaded with computers, flat screen televisions and other electronics in the driveway of the residence.
Poore was scheduled to begin serving his two- year sentence for the Harpswell theft on Nov. 11.
Judge Valerie Stanfill set Poore’s bail at $50,000 cash or $500,000 worth of real estate.
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