Maine news, sports, weather | Kennebec Journal, Augusta, Maine

Suspect's bail set at $1 million;victims of Tuesday attackremain in critical condition

BY BETTY ADAMS Staff Writer

AUGUSTA -- An 18-year-old Augusta man was arrested Thursday morning in connection with a brutal attack and home invasion in Pittston that left a father and daughter critically injured.

Leo Rose Hylton was charged with elevated aggravated assault in the attack on William G. Guerrette Jr., 48, and his daughter, Nicole, 10.

Both Guerrettes remain in critical condition in separate hospitals in Maine, police said Thursday.

Hylton is being held in the Kennebec County jail and is scheduled to make an initial court appearance at 1 p.m. today, District Attorney Evert Fowle said.

Kennebec County Sheriff Randall Liberty said bail for Hylton on the assault charge is set at $1 million. Hylton also is being held without bail on a second charge -- violating conditions of release -- in connection with his arrest May 5 at Shaw's supermarket on Western Avenue in Augusta on a charge of theft.

Liberty said he expects other people to be charged in the ongoing investigation.

Hylton was arrested at the Sewall Street apartment he shares with Daniel Fortune, 20, of Augusta, a man charged with a November 2007 theft of more than $100,000 from the Guerrette home.

Police arrested Fortune Wednesday night on outstanding warrants that charge him with failure to appear for jury trial and violating conditions of release, along with the original theft charge.

Fortune's attorney, Pamela Ames, said Thursday she was told by law enforcement officials Fortune also will be charged in connection with Tuesday's home invasion.

Fortune denied involvement in the home invasion when questioned by reporters Wednesday morning.

Police said they believe those involved in the home invasion may have discarded evidence from the crime scene at a location between the scene and Route 17 in Whitefield. They are asking residents to check their trash for anything unfamiliar, and to call Maine State Police at 1-(800) 452-4664 or the sheriff's office at 1-(800) 498-1930 if they discover suspicious items in their discarded trash.

In announcing the arrests, authorities refused to give details of the investigation or specify the weapon used on the Guerrettes.

"We are still holding back information to avoid compromising the investigation," Liberty said.

State police and sheriff's investigators were in and out of Fortune's and Hylton's apartment house at 151 Sewall St. much of the day Thursday, wearing paper booties and blue latex gloves as they walked the grounds executing a search warrant.

Maine State Police Lt. Gary Wright told reporters Guerrette's wife, Melanie, had been told an arrest was made. Police were not providing more information about the family because authorities want to protect their privacy, Wright said.

Hylton and Fortune both attended Gardiner Area High School.

Fortune graduated last year, and Hylton was a senior there this year, playing football in the fall. School authorities did not return calls Thursday asking whether Hylton was currently enrolled. The booking sheet provided by the sheriff's office describes the 6-foot, 215-pound Hylton as "unemployed."

In an affidavit charging Fortune with the November 2007 theft at the Guerrettes' home, Hylton identified himself to police as Fortune's brother. Hylton's entry in this year's high school yearbook carries a dedication to Fortune's late mother, Pat Fortune, who died on March 29, 2007.

Her obituary said Pat Fortune and her husband had adopted four sons and raised more than 50 children as state foster parents. Fortune is listed in the obituary as an adopted son; Hylton is not.

The theft investigation affidavit says Hylton and William G. Guerrette spoke in late November 2007, as Guerrette searched for valuable items taken in the theft following a Nov. 16, 2007, party at his home.

The party was hosted by Ryan Guerrette, 18, also a senior at Gardiner Area High School. The rest of the family was out of town, according to the affidavit.

Guerrette went to Fortune's apartment where Hylton allowed Guerrette to search for the stolen items.

Guerrette told Kennebec Sheriff's Deputy Michael Durham he located the stolen safe in the back of Fortune's bedroom closet. Guerrette said the safe was broken open and empty of valuables, but contained a photo of Guerrette that had been taken in Las Vegas.

Authorities later brought theft charges against Fortune and another man, William D. Page, 19, of Manchester. Page pleaded guilty and is in jail.

Fortune pleaded not guilty and was scheduled to go to trial several weeks ago. A judge issued a warrant for his arrest when he did not appear in court. Although the investigation is ongoing, Liberty said that "based on all the evidence collected so far, the residents of Pittston are safe."

Betty Adams -- 621-5631

badams@centralmaine.com