Couple charged with theft of pet hamster from school

Two residents of Skowhegan, Maine, were arrested on Thursday after they admitted to stealing a pet hamster from the Cornville Regional Charter School, as well as other items from the school and area camps, police said.

The hamster, named Link, is a pet of the school’s kindergarten class and was recovered during the execution of a search warrant, according to Sheriff Dale Lancaster, of the Somerset County Sheriff’s Office. Gerry Braley, 26, was arrested and charged with four counts of burglary and four counts of theft.



Alexis Lloyd, 19, was summoned on one count each of burglary and theft for her alleged involvement in the break-in at the school. “I believe they felt (the hamster) was alone in the school and they wanted a hamster,” Lancaster said. He said Link was returned to the school’s executive director, Justin Belanger, who was elated at the return of the pet.

“I’m not a veterinarian, but he appeared to be healthy,” Lancaster said. Sheriff’s deputies and Skowhegan police executed the search warrant as the result of an investigation into several burglaries in the area. Stolen items included tools, televisions, electronics and the hamster. Surveillance videos and information from the public helped in the investigation and eventually led police to Braley and Lloyd. The investigation is ongoing.