In The News

AUGUSTA -- Two Augusta men have been arrested in connection with a string of car break-ins early Wednesday.

Michael Grimaldi, 19, and Robert Cooper, 18, face charges of theft, burglary and aggravated criminal mischief, said Detective Jason Cote of the Augusta Police Department.

Grimaldi was being held at the Kennebec County jail on $5,000 cash bail Thursday afternoon. Cooper was being held without bail on a probation violation.

Police have not connected Wednes-day's break-ins to five burglaries from vehicles in the Sand Hill neighborhood over the weekend.

The investigation into those thefts is ongoing, Cote said.

Police believe Grimaldi and Cooper are behind a string of break-ins in the area of Grove and Green streets overnight Tuesday into early Wednesday morning. There were reports at least nine cars were broken into, and Cote said the crime spree also included theft of tools from two apartments that were under renovation and a garage.

"We have a witness that saw Michael Grimaldi running from the area with something in his hands," Cote said.

Grimaldi was arrested around 7:30 a.m. Wednesday when an officer responding to a report of a burglary in progress found Grimaldi behind a Grove Street garage, Cote said.

Cooper was arrested a couple of hours later on Grove Street, Cote said.

Police spent part of Thursday returning the tools, car stereos and other stolen goods to their owners.

None of the thefts included wallets or purses, Cote said.

"It was good work by the witness that called in and the officers that responded," Cote said.