For the second time in as many months, burglars hit Cherry Gallery on Church Street in Damariscotta between Tuesday evening and Wednesday morning, Nov. 9-10.
Upon entry, the burglars stole a number of hand tools, including chisels, gouges and wood carving tools, worth about $1000, as well as an antique gun and gun case, owner Jeff Cherry said.
“The gun was worthless,” Cherry said, but the case, made from hide and decorated with beads, is a piece of late 19th century American Indian art.
The latest burglary is the second in two months for the business. On Oct. 9 – the Saturday of the Damariscotta Pumpkinfest – burglars smashed windows and damaged two doors before stealing a computer mouse and a box of personal photographs.
The second time around, the thieves were more sophisticated. “They clearly were capable of picking locks,” Cherry said.
“There is now a security system installed and other deterrents in place,” Cherry said.
Detective Richard Alexander of the Damariscotta Police Department said the department was unsure how the burglars gained entry to the gallery in November. Police do not have any suspects at this time, he said.
