POLAND, Maine (WMTW) – The Maine State Fire Marshal’s Office says indictments have been handed down in connection with a series of fire and property damage cases in the towns of Yarmouth and Poland, including at the vacant Elan School campus.
James Akers, 18, of Portland; Jacob Kaiser, 18, of Biddeford; and two juveniles were indicted by grand juries in Cumberland County and Androscoggin County, authorities announced Friday.
The charges brought against the four suspects stem from incidents of arson, burglary and theft at the following locations on the following dates:
- Nov. 17, 2024: Fire was set to a vacant building at the Elan School campus in Poland
- Nov. 17, 2024: Fire was set to building materials at 508 West Main St. in Yarmouth
- Jan. 2, 2025: Fire was set to a vacant home under construction at 508 West Main St. in Yarmouth
- March 1, 2025: Fire was set to a vacant building at the Elan School campus
- March 1, 2025: Fire was set to a vacant home at 14 Madeleine Point Road in Yarmouth
- March 7, 2025: Fire was set to a vacant building at the Elan School campus
Authorities said Akers was arrested March 20 in connection with a March 19 fire involving a U.S. Forest Service fire danger sign along Route 88 in Yarmouth, near the intersection of Princes Point Road and Lafayette Street.
Kaiser, meanwhile, was arrested May 13 in connection with the March 1 fire that destroyed a vacant home at 14 Madeleine Point Road in Yarmouth, according to the Fire Marshal’s office.
Both Akers and Kaiser were released on bail pending court appearances later this year, officials said.
In the Androscoggin County Grand Jury indictment returned July 8, Akers and Kaiser were each charged with three counts of arson and three counts of aggravated criminal trespass.
In the Cumberland County Grand Jury indictment returned July 10, Akers was charged with two counts of arson, two counts of criminal mischief, three counts of burglary, three counts of theft by unauthorized taking and two counts of criminal mischief. Kaiser was indicted on two counts of arson, one count of criminal mischief, four counts of burglary, three counts of theft by unauthorized taking and two counts of criminal mischief.
The Fire Marshal’s Office said two juveniles were indicted on charges that include multiple counts of arson, burglary and theft. Authorities are not releasing the identities of the juveniles because of their age.
The indictments were the result of a monthslong, multiagency investigation led by the Maine State Fire Marshal’s Office. The investigation also involved the Yarmouth Police Department; Maine Forest Service; U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF); Yarmouth Fire Department; Poland Fire Department; Cumberland Police Department; Portland Police Department; and Androscoggin County Sheriff’s Office.
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