A man police describe as a “career criminal” was arrested Dec. 14 following a rash of thefts involving worthless checks, including the allegedly fraudulent purchase of a chainsaw from a Wiscasset store.
Following the arrest of Arthur J. Mollo, 45, of Lewiston, police found a number of items related to the allegations during a search of his vehicle, among them a bill of sale for a Stihl Chainsaw valued at $882 from Francis Nadeau Chainsaws of Wiscasset. Nadeau’s was notified of the fraudulent nature of the sale.
On Dec. 14, SSG. Chris Cowan of the Kennebec County Sheriff’s Office received a call from Power Equipment Plus of Belgrade, reporting a theft.
During his investigation, Cowan learned Mollo allegedly purchased a Toro Snowblower valued at $1888, using a check drawn on a closed bank account. The salesman had recorded the registration of the tan minivan that was used to remove the snow blower.
Additional investigation revealed that the Lewiston Police Dept. had arrested Mollo on a motor vehicle violation and that there was a new Toro Snowblower in the vehicle at the time of the arrest.
KCSO Detectives Al Morin and Ryan Reardon drafted a search warrant for the vehicle and determined that the Toro in the vehicle was the one stolen from Power Equipment Police also seized documentation including checks and other items, including information about the Nadeau chainsaw.
According to police, Mollo allegedly stole three chainsaws, valued at approximately $2600 from Kramers Equipment of Sidney.
In all of the above cases the checks that were issued to the stores were from BET and Company Development Inc. of Gray.
In all of the complaints, new equipment was purchased, without proper identification and without verification of sufficient funds with the issuing financial institution.
Mollo is currently in the Androscoggin County Jail on the several theft charges and is on a federal probation hold.
According to police, Mollo has an extensive criminal history including numerous felony cocaine convictions that led to a seven-year sentence to Maine State prison, coinciding with a similar federal conviction. He has been found guilty of multiple burglaries, criminal threatening, criminal mischief and negotiating worthless instrument charges.
“Arthur Mollo is a career criminal. In these cases he took advantage of trusting businessmen and stole thousands of dollars worth of their equipment. He traveled throughout Central Maine searching for victims.
“Due to outstanding police work from the Kennebec and Lincoln County Sheriff’s Offices, the Lewiston, and Wiscasset Police Dept. and the Maine State Police, we have been able to solve these thefts. As we continue to investigate this case, I’m certain that there will additional victims and several more arrests,” Cowan said.
Mollo is described as 5’10” tall, 250-lbs., with brown hair and eyes.
“Anyone or any business that suspects that they have been a victim of this thief’s crimes, are encouraged to contact Det. Ryan Reardon of Kennebec County Sheriff’s Office at 623-3591,” Cowan said.
All businesses are asked to require duplicate identification of anyone purchasing high value items and to verify with the bank that there are sufficient funds in the account to cover the transaction. This investigation is active and more arrests are expected.
