The Maine Warden Service has suspended a search for a Saco man last seen leaving his home Nov. 21.

Christopher Noonan, 26, was last seen running into the woods behind his home on Jenkins Road following an argument with his wife, said Saco Deputy Police Chief Raynald Demers. After an extensive search of the area near his home, investigators now believe Noonan is staying with a friend in Sanford, he said.

Sgt. Tim Spahr of the Maine Warden Service said the department used K-9 units to search near Jenkins Road and the Saco Heath twice last week. A search on Wednesday included two K-9 units, while seven K-9 units from Maine Search and Rescue were used Saturday, he said. Wardens also used a plane to search the area, he said.

Spahr said the search was very time consuming and costly because of the number of searchers and the aircraft involved.

“We covered a lot of ground,” Spahr said.

Spahr said investigators received a phone call from a man who said he talked to Noonan on Nov. 23, two days after he was last seen.

“We now believe (Noonan) is no longer in the woods. He could be in hiding,” Spahr said. “We’re certainly hoping he will step forward so we can all rest at ease. If anybody at all knows his whereabouts, we need them to step forward.”

Anyone with information should call Saco police at 284-4535.

$125,000 in stolen property recovered

York County Sheriff’s Office arrested three men and recovered $125,000 worth of stolen property from large-scale commercial thefts.

Timothy Caswell, 32, and Charles Stoddard, 53, both of Waterboro, were arrested by the sheriff’s office and Sanford police and charged with theft and receiving stolen property. Anthony Foglio, 25, of Waterboro, was later arrested in Bath for his involvement, according to the sheriff’s office.

The sheriff’s office and Sanford Police Department received complaints of large-scale commercial thefts in Alfred, Lebanon and Sanford from Nov. 5 to 7. Thefts included a GMC truck valued at $6,000 from Lucky Day Auto in Lebanon and four 2001 snowmobiles and a snowmobile trailer valued at $30,000 from Robertson’s Powersports in Sanford. A Kubota tractor and trailer valued at $91,000 were stolen from CATV Construction Co. in Alfred, according to police.

Investigators were able to identify several fencing outlets for the group in Lyman, Waterboro, Danforth and Vanceboro. The sheriff’s office recovered three snowmobiles, snowmobile trailer and truck locally, but found the Kubota tractor in Washington County near the Canadian border.

Sheriff Maurice Ouellette said  dismantling a “professional group of thieves” is a major accomplishment.

“Oftentimes these groups, with their sophisticated outlet for the stolen merchandise, operate untethered. This was not the case in York County,” he said.

Biddeford sponsors window contest

The Downtown Development Commission is sponsoring its annual Christmas window display decorating contest in Biddeford.

Businesses are invited to create festive displays to show downtown holiday spirit. Ribbons will be awarded for first, second and third place. Windows decorated for the Biddeford Cares initiative that features nonprofit organizations also will be judged.

Judging will take place 5 to 7 p.m. Dec. 9. To enter the contest, call Brian at 282-9926 Tuesday through Saturday.

Bil Moriarty running for Democratic post

Bil Moriarty of Biddeford declared last week he is running for chairman of the Maine Democratic Party.

Moriarty currently  is chair of  the Biddeford Democratic Committee and a York County delegate to the state committee. In July, he was named chairman of the newly formed information technology committee for the party.

Moriarty said he decided to seek the position because he thinks party staff needs to be more progressive, be held accountable and talk more to the Democratic National Committee. The chairman will be elected following a vote Jan. 23 at the state committee level.

“My opinion is we can do better,” Moriarty said. “I think we need someone new at the state level to get the party back on track.”

Library celebrates renovation work

McArthur Library will host an open house tonight to celebrate the completion of a renovation that created more space for patrons.

Renovations completed since last summer include new reading rooms, a separate and expanded teen area, easier access to the local history collection and new carpeting on the second floor. For the first time, library users will be able to sit in a comfortable seating area in front of windows that overlook Main Street. The library, built in 1902, previously opened additions in the 1960s and 1990s.

The open house will be held 4 to 6 p.m. Light refreshments will be served. For more information, call 284-4181.

– Compiled by Staff Writer

 Gillian Graham