An 18-year-old was arrested Tuesday after he set construction equipment on fire in Sandy River Plantation, immediately east of Rangeley, according to the Office of State Fire Marshal.

Devon Clark, of Rangeley, was arrested at 7:30 p.m. on a charge of arson, a class A felony, after hunters found a bulldozer early Tuesday morning that had been lit on fire. It’s unknown when the fire was set.

A track excavator and a bulldozer owned by Cousineau Inc. in Wilton were both stolen, according to Sgt. Joel Davis, of the fire marshal’s office, and apparently taken for a joyride off Beech Hill Road before the bulldozer got stuck in the mud in a swampy area.

Clark was arrested for allegedly setting the bulldozer on fire, but Davis said further charges are likely. The fire marshal’s office also is investigating others who might have been involved in the crimes.

While the excavator was not damaged, the lost bulldozer alone probably was worth more than $150,000, Davis said. The owner has insurance, he believes. The fire marshal’s office was assisted by the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office, the Rangeley Police Department, U.S. Border Patrol and the Maine Warden Service.

Madeline St. Amour — 861-9239

mstamour@centralmaine.com

Twitter: @madelinestamour

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