Boothbay Harbor Police have discovered a certificate awarding the Medal of Honor to a World War II hero in a truckload of suspected loot they believe was stolen from residents of the St. Andrew’s Village retirement complex.
Police Chief Robert Hasch confirmed police are holding the Medal of Honor certificate awarded to Army Air Corps Lt. Col. Jay Zeamer Jr., for heroism.
“I knew Mr. Zeamer. When I saw the certificate, it tugged at my heart,” said Hasch.
The items were seized from the Woolwich home of Paul Lenzycki, 42, the former Village maintenance and security supervisor who was arrested last week.
Lt. Col Zeamer, who died at St. Andrews Village in 2007, was awarded the nation’s highest decoration for bravery for his services as pilot of a 1944 bomber mission to photograph a Japanese stronghold in the Solomon Islands. During the mission, his lone bomber was attacked by 20 fighters.
In a running air battle, Zeamer’s plane shot down five fighters. Although wounded in both arms and legs, he was able to continue to command the flight as it retuned to base, a journey of 580 miles.
Police say they have spent more than a week sifting through a truckload of items seized from the suspect as they try to determine if they were stolen from residents of St. Andrew’s Village Retirement complex or elsewhere.
So far, at least 36 items have been linked to residents who retired at the village, police said. More than 54 possible victims or their relatives have inquired about the items, Hasch said.
We are trying to determine who the items belong to,” said Boothbay Harbor Police Chief Robert Hasch.
Lenzycki was arrested last week as he got off an airplane at Portland Jetport on charges of terrorizing. Hasch said the charges stemmed from allegations Lenzycki made threats to village management. Following his arrest, Lenzycki was released on $250 bond.
“We were told he made threats of violence as part of a disagreement with management,” said the chief.
Lenzycki has worked at the facility since 2003, Hasch said. Scott Shott, a spokesman for the retirement home, said Lenzycki is no longer working for the facility.
He praised Hasch and the Boothbay Harbor police for their care and communication with residents.
About 100 residents live in the facilities.
Following police receipt of the allegations against Lenzycki, a judge ordered police to remove weapons from Lenzycki’s Topsham home. About 50 weapons, including a .50 caliber sniper rifle and some weapons resembling assault rifles were confiscated. Police believe most were legal, Hasch said.
Boothbay Harbor police have worked with the Federal Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms to identify weapons. Hasch said deputies from the Lincoln County Sheriff and Sagadahoc County Sheriff’s Depts. have also provided valuable assistance.
While at Lenzycki’s residence to seize the firearms, police noticed a number of items they suspected were stolen. After obtaining a search warrant, they seized a large number of items and are in the process of trying to identify the proper owners.
Several have been linked to St. Andrew’s residents or former residents, said Hasch.
“It is a very complex case and it will take some time to identify the owners of all the items,” he said.
