BELFAST — A Searsmont man has been sentenced to serve four years in prison, with all but six month suspended following charges of burglary and theft in Knox June 25.

William W. Burrows, 22, was arrested July 7, following an investigation by Maine State Police, and convicted Jan. 12.

According to court documents, law enforcement received a report of burglary June 25 from the owner of a private garage in the town of Knox.

The complainant advised Maine State Police Trooper Donald Webber that he had last visited the garage May 26. The man told Webber he stored antiques there, as well as his 2000 Jaguar XJ8, which was also stolen. The owner reported the value of his missing property to be between $40,000-$50,000.

The complainant, an antiques dealer who travels the country buying and selling his items, stated he did not have insurance on the items, or a security system set up at the property.

During the subsequent investigation, Maine State Police Detective Scott Bryant obtained a sneaker imprint from the cover of a tote in the garage. 

The investigation was given a boost July  when the victim discovered some of his missing antiques at a roadside antique dealer in Searsport. The owner of the business reportedly told police William Burrows had showed up at her shop and asked her if she would like to purchase some antiques.

Burrows visited the shop eight times between June 3-20, receiving checks totaling over $3,000 for the stolen goods, according to court documents.

Law enforcement was initially unsuccessful in its attempts to locate Burrows, who managed to elude arrest by ducking out of sight as a female friend drove him from her residence, police said. Burrows was arrested the following day, and the woman was ultimately charged with hindering apprehension.

After transporting both to Waldo County Jail, the sneakers Burrows was wearing were confiscated and compared to the tread marks left at the scene. Burrows reportedly denied allegations, and stated that the antiques he sold had been left to him by his grandmother. Troopers spoke with relatives, who confirmed this claim was untrue, documents said. Subsequent tests also proved the sneakers were a match for the sneaker print left at the scene.

For his charge of burglary, Burrows was sentenced to four years in prison with all but six months suspended, two years of probation, and $46,925 restitution. He was sentenced to six months in jail for each charge of theft by unauthorized taking or transfer.

Erica Thoms can be reached at news@penbaypilot.com