PORTLAND — Police said they caught an alleged burglar in the process of stealing firearms from a Falmouth home, shortly after he reportedly burglarized a Portland home.

Portland police put out a call around noon on Sunday, June 27, informing area police to be on the lookout for a man who they suspected had just burglarized a garage on Auburn Street. According to Lt. Gary Rogers, a Portland evidence technician happened to see the truck used by the man parked at a residence on Allen Avenue Extension, just over the Falmouth border.

Falmouth and Portland police went to the house and knocked on the door, then noticed evidence of forced entry, Rogers said.

Police also noticed several firearms stacked up next to the door, according to Falmouth Police Lt. John Kilbride. At that point, they called to the suspect to come out, or said they would send in a police dog.

Philip Giusti, 47, of New Gloucester, surrendered. He reportedly knew the owner of the home and that he would not be there. Police said they are familiar with Giusti, who has a history of breaking and entering charges.

Giusti was charged with burglary in Falmouth and with theft by Portland police. He reportedly stole a gas can and a framed picture from the garage on Auburn Street. Falmouth police said Giusti was in the process of stealing more than a dozen guns from the Allen Avenue Extension home.

Rogers said the timing of the burglaries was unusual.

“You don’t usually see break-ins at noon on a Sunday,” he said.

Giusti was taken to Cumberland County Jail.

Kate Bucklin can be reached at 781-3661 ext. 106 or kbucklin@theforecaster.net

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