Staff Writer

A Scarborough man observed peeking into cars near a local school has now been linked to a string of car burglaries over the last several weeks.

Officials at Cumberland County Superior Court had not learned of an arraignment date for Michael Thompson, 22, as of Wednesday, but Scarborough Police Sgt. Rick Rouse said he will face at least three charges of burglarizing vehicles and one for theft.

Rouse said officers responding to a call about a suspicious person near Wentworth Intermediate School around 11:45 a.m. Sunday encountered Thomson, a resident of Green Needle Drive.

After what Rouse called “a lengthy interview” with officers, Thompson admitted to several burglaries in the area of Wentworth Intermediate and Scarborough Middle schools last month, police said.

Police continue to investigate how and if Thompson is linked to a string of burglary calls reported in a 30-minute span March 16 from the middle school to the Hannaford Bros. store parking lot.

Rouse said Thompson does not appear to have prior theft or burglary convictions and was cooperative with officers.

A quest to recover jewelry led to charges against a woman who police previously summonsed March 19 for allowing a minor under 18 to possess and consume liquor, Rouse said.

Jennifer Fortier, 41, of Two Rod Road, was charged with operating under the influence early in the morning March 25.

Rouse said Fortier allegedly went to the home of an ex-boyfriend on Martin Road just after 1 a.m. to recover an $800 necklace she had given him when the couple was together.

Rouse said officers responding to a disturbance call found Fortier in a breezeway at the home.

Officers reported smelling alcohol on Fortier’s breath, and Fortier told them she had driven to the home. She was arrested after failing a field sobriety test, Rouse said.

As reported in last week’s Leader, Fortier was summonsed in connection to a party at her home attended by as many as 70 youths in which a 16-year-old girl was arrested for possession of alcohol, according to police reports.

Staff writer David Harry can be reached at 282-4337, ext. 219