By Rick Wright

Staff Writer

South Portland police arrested a man this week they believe burglarized several homes and vehicles in the area. 

Adam Black, 23, of South Portland, was arrested at 2:30 a.m. Monday by Officer Andrew Nelson and taken to Cumberland County Jail.

Black is charged with burglarizing two homes on Lowell Street and three vehicles in the same area. The crimes were allegedly committed late Sunday night or early Monday morning, according to South Portland Police Sgt. Steve Webster.

“He was a busy boy last night,” Webster said.

At the jail, Black was charged with two counts of Class B burglary and three counts of Class C burglary to a motor vehicle.  

The maximum sentences for the crimes are 10 years in prison for each Class B burglary and five years in prison for each Class C burglary, according to a press release issued by the South Portland Police Department.

Bail has not been posted because Black is on probation and a hold has been placed on him, Webster said. Black was scheduled to make his initial court appearance Feb. 24.

“(Black) is not going to get out right away,” Webster said. “My guess is he’s going to stay at the Cumberland County Jail for a while.”

Black pleaded guilty Feb. 2 to a burglary he committed last August, Webster said. For that offense, Black was sentenced to two years of probation and time previously served – 52 days in jail.

South Portland police were alerted to one of the burglaries Monday morning when a homeowner called to report he awoke to find Black in his bedroom. The suspect immediately fled from the home, according to Webster.

“The (homeowner) opened his eyes and (Black) was standing over him,” Webster said.

Minutes later, Black was found hiding behind a car near the man’s home on Lowell Street. The suspect was in possession of cash, loose change and an iPhone when he was apprehended, Webster said. The iPhone was returned to its owner.

All doors were locked in the two burglarized homes, Webster said. The three burglarized vehicles were not locked.

“(Black) had evidence on him at the time of his arrest,” Webster said. “He left personal things at the scene of the crimes and he had stuff from the cars in his pockets.”

A K-9 officer from Westbrook was called in to help with the follow-up investigation. South Portland has its own K-9 officer but he was off duty, Webster said.

Rick Wright can be reached at 282-4337, ext. 237 or news@inthesentry.com.