LEWISTON — Three people have been arrested and charged in the damaging of about 150 grave sites at the Riverside Cemetery on Summer Street, according to a release issued by the Lewiston Police Department Tuesday.

On Aug. 20 police were called to the cemetery, located at 192 Summer St. About 150 grave markers had been vandalized over night, resulting in an estimated $50,000 in damage.

Today, police arrested Shane Haskell, 20, of Lewiston, Billie Coburn, 18, of Lewiston, and Jesse Macia, 18, of Lewiston. All three men were charged with aggravated criminal mischief and desecration and defacement of a burial site.

Lewiston Police Chief Michael Bussiere praised the efforts of Det. Lee Jones, who headed up the investigation, as well as members of Patrol Division and Community Resource Team who assisted in the investigation.  

“This senseless act of vandalism has really touched a nerve in the police department and in this community, but one positive development has been the outpouring of support from those that have volunteered to help restore the graves at the Riverside Cemetery,” Bussiere said in a prepared statement.

Haskell, Coburn and Macia are currently in custody at the Androscoggin County Jail.

The investigation is continuing and additional arrests and charges are likely, according to the police.