Police followed cookie-crumb trail to find suspects in Family Dollar caper

Jonathan Gillis, among two charged in break-in at Family Dollar. (Sanford Police photos)

SANFORD, Maine - Two Sanford youth are in trouble with the law after allegedly breaking into a local Family Dollar and stealing candy, cookies and, just in case, an umbrella.

Police responded to the Mid-Town Mall store for a reported burglary in the early morning hours of July 17 after a passer-by reported the front window of the store was smashed.

As officers responded and investigated, it became clear that someone had stolen packages of cookies, other candy and an umbrella.

At least one package of cookies was damaged during the incident, and an officer was able to follow a trail of cookie crumbs down the stairs of the Mid-Town Mall and onto Riverside Avenue where the trail was lost.

After a thorough investigation, which included at least one search warrant that led to the recovery of the umbrella, two suspects were charged.

Jonathan Gillis, 18, was arrested on July 23 on a charge of burglary, a Class C crime, punishable by up to five years in state prison.

A 15-year-old juvenile of Sanford was charged with burglary on Wednesday. They were released to their guardian with a future court date.