BANGOR, ME - A man was arrested and charged after allegedly breaking into an apartment, unwrapping the Christmas gifts, and taking a nap, all before refusing to leave once the tenant found him.
Police said that the apartment's tenant woke up on Sunday, November 23, to Jose Harvey, 50, sleeping on the couch, PEOPLE reported. The tenant called police around 8:40 a.m. after discovering Harvey, who allegedly refused to leave the apartment. Upon arriving on scene, officers were unable to get a valid and logical reason as to why Harvey was in the residence.
Police also said that Christmas presents had been unwrapped close to where Harvey was found. Harvey was immediately arrested and has been charged with aggravated criminal trespass. He was taken to Penobscot County Jail. As of Sunday, November 30, jail records show that he is no longer being housed there.
The tenant told authorities that the bathroom window was open, but the doors were locked. The Bangor Police Department (BPD) used the incident to share a safety reminder heading into the holiday season. "It goes without saying that doing a routine check of your window and door locks is a prudent exercise in this day and age," BPD wrote on Facebook.
"I know, we shouldn't have to — it makes us sad, too. Surprises like this don't put any of us in a festive mood, but even the Grinch figured out the chimney is always an option," the statement continued. "It pays to lock your doors and windows. Oh, and make sure that gifts and packages are not left in the automobiles, even if it's in your own dooryard. Keep them out of sight on shopping excursions as well."
In a final reminder, BPD urged Bangor residents to practice kindness this holiday season, writing, "Keep your hands to yourself, leave other people's things alone, and be kind to one another."
Police said that the apartment's tenant woke up on Sunday, November 23, to Jose Harvey, 50, sleeping on the couch, PEOPLE reported. The tenant called police around 8:40 a.m. after discovering Harvey, who allegedly refused to leave the apartment. Upon arriving on scene, officers were unable to get a valid and logical reason as to why Harvey was in the residence.
Police also said that Christmas presents had been unwrapped close to where Harvey was found. Harvey was immediately arrested and has been charged with aggravated criminal trespass. He was taken to Penobscot County Jail. As of Sunday, November 30, jail records show that he is no longer being housed there.
The tenant told authorities that the bathroom window was open, but the doors were locked. The Bangor Police Department (BPD) used the incident to share a safety reminder heading into the holiday season. "It goes without saying that doing a routine check of your window and door locks is a prudent exercise in this day and age," BPD wrote on Facebook.
"I know, we shouldn't have to — it makes us sad, too. Surprises like this don't put any of us in a festive mood, but even the Grinch figured out the chimney is always an option," the statement continued. "It pays to lock your doors and windows. Oh, and make sure that gifts and packages are not left in the automobiles, even if it's in your own dooryard. Keep them out of sight on shopping excursions as well."
In a final reminder, BPD urged Bangor residents to practice kindness this holiday season, writing, "Keep your hands to yourself, leave other people's things alone, and be kind to one another."
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