Maine Cops Nab Hermit Suspected in 1K Burglaries

A man who lived like a hermit for decades in the woods of central Maine—and who may be responsible for more than 1,000 burglaries—has been captured, authorities say. Police say 47-year-old Christopher Knight was arrested last week while stealing food from a camp in Rome. Yesterday, authorities found the campsite where they believed Knight—known in local legend as the North Pond Hermit—has lived for 27 years.

Sgt. Terry Hughes of the Maine Warden Service, who arrested Knight last Thursday as he left the camp with $280 worth of food, tells the Morning Sentinel that Knight told him he was the second human being he has spoken to since 1986. Knight spent his time reading and meditating, and told police he stole just the supplies he needed to survive from nearby camps. Police have been trying to crack the mystery of the burglaries for years.