Car found in Cape Elizabeth, destroyed by fire

Arrest made in Rockport car theft

Sun, 07/17/2016 - 10:30pm

    ROCKPORT — The car that was stolen from a Main Street, Rockport, home sometime in the overnight of July 15-16 has been found in Cape Elizabeth, destroyed by fire.

    Camden-Rockport Police Chief Randy Gagne said Melanie Vangel, 20, of Lincolnville, has been charged with arson in the case. Cape Elizabeth and the Office of the Maine State Fire Marshal arrested Vangel Saturday, July 16, on two counts of arson and unauthorized use of property after the vehicle was taken late Friday or early Saturday morning.

    “The car was found torched in Cape Elizabeth,” Gagne said.

     Investigators said Vangel allegedly stole a van from Rockport, drove to New Hampshire, and then parked it next to a garage at 2 Light Terrace in Cape Elizabeth, and set the vehicle on fire Saturday, according to a news release from the Maine Office of Public Safety.

    Additional charges may follow, Gagne said.

    Rockport Police, Cape Elizabeth Police and the Maine State Fire Marshal will be further investigating the incident.    

     


     Reach Editorial Director Lynda Clancy at lyndaclancy@penbaypilot.com; 207-706-6657