COLUMBIA FALLS, Maine — Two local men were summoned on burglary and theft charges after an alleged drunken spree involving stolen wheelchairs.

The incident occurred on Sept. 9, Chief Deputy Michael Crabtree of the Washington County Sheriff’s Office said Friday in a news release.





Crabtree said the Washington County Regional Communications Center received a call about 4:20 a.m. from a residence on Main Street in Columbia Falls reporting that two men who seemed “extremely intoxicated” appeared to be racing wheelchairs up and down the road and being very loud.

A deputy was sent to the area but did not find the individuals, he said.

Later in the day, deputies were apprised of a burglary at the Wreaths Across America National Office and Museum. Through the course of their investigation, the deputies learned that photos of two men drinking in wheelchairs had been sent to the museum’s manager, Crabtree said.

Several items were reported missing from the museum, including the wheelchairs, he said.

The wheelchairs were recovered from Edward Cotton, 20, of Centerville, a former town that now is part of the North Washington Unorganized Territory.

Cotton, along with 18-year-old Jacob Lane of Machiasport, each are charged with burglary and theft by unauthorized taking. Both men are scheduled to appear in Machias District Court on Oct. 6.