Police: Maine Hermit Suspected In 1,000 Burglaries

ROME, Maine (AP) — Authorities say a man who lived like a hermit for decades in the woods of central Maine and may be responsible for more than 1,000 burglaries has been captured.

State police say in a court affidavit that 47-year-old Christopher Knight was arrested last week when he tripped a sensor while stealing food from a camp in Rome.

Authorities on Tuesday found the campsite where they believed Knight — known as the North Pond Hermit in local lore— has lived for 27 years.

Knight was arrested last Thursday as he left Pine Tree Camp with $283 worth of food. State Trooper Diane Vance says Knight told her he had broken into the camp about 50 times since he began living in the woods in 1986.

Knight's being held at the Kennebec County jail on burglary and theft charges.

Copyright 2013 The Associated Press.