Sanbornville woman arrested in theft of kayaks from Acton, Farmington and Milton

Four of the six recovered kayaks (YCSO photo)

ACTON, Maine - A New Hampshire woman was charged on Wednesday in the theft of six kayaks from Acton as well as Wakefield and Milton in New Hampshire.

Doran Garland, 39, of Sanbornville, N.H., was issued a summons and charged with three counts of theft by unauthorized taking or transfer, a Class C felony punishable by five years in state prison.

A probe into the thefts began in late July after York County Deputy Gregg Sevigny took a report of three stolen kayaks, three life jackets, and two kayak paddles from a residence on Milton Mills Road. During the preliminary investigation Sevigny was made aware of other stolen property in the neighborhood.

In early August, Sevigny learned that two of the kayaks may be in Farmington, N.H. He coordinated with Farmington authorities and visited the residence where he located the kayaks in plain view. He recovered the kayaks and returned them to the victims in Acton. He also developed a suspect.

The following day he went to the suspect's house in a neighboring New Hampshire town where he found the third stolen kayak and two of the three stolen life jackets in plain view.

Garland admitted to stealing the kayaks, paddles, and life jackets from Acton. She also admitted to stealing lawn ornaments from another address in Acton. The kayak, paddles, and life jackets, along with the stolen lawn ornaments were recovered and returned.

During her interview, Garland also returned three other kayaks as well as other miscellaneous property that was stolen from addresses in Wakefield and Milton.

The investigation resulted in the recovery of approximately $3,000 of stolen property.

Garland's initial appearance is set for Nov. 6 in York County Superior Court in Alfred.

New Hampshire charges are also anticipated, according to York County Sheriff William King.