AUGUSTA — Four city residents were charged Wednesday in connection with an early morning break in at a Western Avenue business.

Police were called to the Maine Smoke Shop at 52 Western Ave. around 5:30 a.m. for a report of suspicious activity, Augusta police Deputy Chief Jared Mills said in a news release. Officers learned that the business had been burglarized.

Scott Beckim, 32, and Kelly Strout, 31, were arrested shortly after the burglary, and each was charged with theft and criminal mischief. Beckim also was charged with violating conditions of release and placed on a probation hold.

The investigation continued throughout the day and eventually led to execution of a search warrant at a home on Chapel Street. Two people in the home at the time of that search were arrested based on evidence found in the home, Mills said. Scott Coogan, 28, was arrested on four warrants and new charges of burglary, theft, criminal mischief, and violating conditions of release. Gladys Fowler, 31, was arrested on a warrant and a probation hold and a new charge of receiving stolen property.

All four were being held at the Kennebec County jail Wednesday night.


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