On Dec. 10, Wiscasset Police Department received a theft complaint from Wiscasset Ford. The business reported the theft of a 2018 Dodge Caravan and a 2019 Ford Ranger. The thefts were by checks used to buy the vehicles Nov. 30 and Dec. 4. The checks were written on a frozen or blocked account from Bangor Savings Bank, and were allegedly written by Robert G. Steiner, 51, of Warren.

Chief Larry Hesseltine began the investigation into Steiner, and learned of his extensive criminal record of similar activity. He also learned Steiner was a suspect in two recent incidents in Knox County involving vehicle thefts.

Steiner’s whereabouts were unknown at the time of the Wiscasset report. The most recent indication of his location was the recovery of a stolen vehicle from one of the Knox County incidents on Dec. 6 at Portland Jetport.

On Dec. 10, Hesseltine obtained two Class B felony warrants for Steiner’s arrest. At that point, Steiner had three active warrants for his arrest – two from Michigan and one from Florida for similar criminal activity.

On Dec. 11, Hesseltine recovered the 2018 Dodge Caravan in Hamden. The vehicle was in the possession of Kelsie Redmond, 22, of Northport. The investigation revealed Steiner had allegedly given Redmond the vehicle as a gift.

Hesseltine was able to track Steiner to an address in Grosse Point, Michigan, and coordinate with Grosse Point Police Department. Grosse Point Police went to the address and, after a brief foot chase, took Steiner into custody. They also recovered the 2019 Ford Ranger from the Wiscasset theft.

This investigation will likely involve multiple jurisdictions and agencies. If you have any information, please contact your local police department.

According to Bangor Daily News in 2014, Steiner was arrested by Portland Police Department in June 2014 for the theft of $250,000 worth of vehicles in the greater Portland area. Portland charged him with two counts of Class B felony theft, and four counts of Class B aggravated forgery. A total of seven cars were stolen during the 2014 crime spree, for which Steiner was sentenced to six years in prison.