MACHIAS, Maine - Burglars have been busy this summer stealing everything from fuel to power tools.

According to the Washington County Sheriff's Department, the thefts have been happening all over the county beginning in May, and most recently in Lubec and Trescott.

And all kinds of complaints keep rolling in, Sheriff Donnie Smith said Wednesday. One of his deputies has handled 54 complaints in 15 days involving people breaking various laws, the sheriff said.

On June 26, during a routine traffic stop Sgt. Dennis Perry learned that a diesel fuel barrel had been taken from an individual in Lubec.

Two days later, Perry, Cpl. Jack Fuller, Deputy Ralph Pineo and Maine State Police Trooper Andrew Foss questioned Devon Brown, 27, of Whiting. They also searched his vehicle.

"Mr. Brown's vehicle reeked heavily of fuel oil and in fact had a couple of inches of fuel oil in the bottom of his trunk near the spare tire," Smith said in a press release. "A piece of a vehicle found at one of the crime scenes also matched up perfectly to Mr. Brown's vehicle. As a result of speaking to Mr. Brown, the officers also received information regarding certain power tools that were believed to be stolen as a result of a burglary in Trescott on the night of June 24."

The stolen tools later were found at a residence in Trescott. Dean Foster, 18, of Trescott and Brown were arrested and charged.

In another case involving the theft of tools, Sgt. Travis Willey of the sheriff's office along with agents

Forrest Dale, 23, and Michelle Seavey, 18, both of Cherryfield were arrested on charges of trafficking and possession of illegal drugs in that incident.

In general, the thieves are reselling the items, including the fuel, "[and] the tools are being thrown in a big barrel and sold for metal," Smith said.

According to Smith, the thefts are part of the drug problem Down East. "It is another way to produce funds for a [drug] habit," he said.

Smith said he also thinks the bad economy has had a part in the increase in criminal activity in Washington County.

"It is a way to come up with quick cash," he said.

Smith said this is the worst he has seen in terms of the number of crimes in the county in his 15 years as a police officer.

"We have been swamped this year, and I have to believe that our [crime] count is going to be up this year," he said.

Anyone with information regarding the thefts in the Lubec or Trescott areas or in other areas of the county are urged to call the sheriff's office at 255-4422 or the state police at 255-8000.