FARMINGTON — A district court judge set bail Wednesday at $300 or a pretrial agreement for a Woodstock man accused of breaking into a Jay residence and threatening witnesses Tuesday.

Judge Paul Cote Jr. lowered Alexander Ryerson’s bail from $5,000 cash to $300 cash or pretrial service agreement during an appearance in 12th District Court.

Jay police arrested Ryerson, 19, Tuesday on charges of felony burglary and tampering with a witness, along with theft and criminal mischief, Jay police Chief Larry White Sr. said prior to Ryerson’s appearance in court.

Ryerson was also issued a summons on civil violation of possession of liquor by a minor. Ryerson denied that charge in court Wednesday.

Ryerson was previously arrested on Dec. 13 by Livermore Falls police after he forced his way into an elderly woman’s apartment in the Bank Building in Livermore Falls, police Chief Ernest Steward Jr. said Wednesday. Police arrested him on charges of aggravated criminal trespass and assault, but the Androscoggin County District Attorney’s Office released him from jail pending further investigation, he said.

White said Jay officer Nicholas Gulliver was called to a Church Street home Tuesday afternoon on a report of burglary. Residents had gone out for a few hours and returned to find their door kicked in and a window broken, White said.

Gulliver went to the house and learned that $300 in cash and four cans of Budweiser had been stolen, White said.

One of the residents told Gulliver that two witnesses saw a male break into the house, White said. The witnesses told Gulliver they told Ryerson to stop, according to Gulliver‘s affidavit filed with the court.

The witnesses also told Gulliver that Ryerson told them not to tell police and if they did, he would be back, the affidavit states.

Gulliver went to an apartment building where Ryerson had been hanging out and spoke to a person there. During the interview the person told him Ryerson had gone out and came back with Budweiser beer.

Gulliver continued investigating and talked to Ryerson on the phone, White said. Ryerson was not cooperative and wouldn’t come to the Jay Police Station for an interview.

Gulliver contacted the Maine State Police, who arrested Ryerson and brought him to the Canton-Jay line.

Jay officer Mike Mejia picked him up and took him to the Franklin County Jail in Farmington.

White said the beer was recovered but was unsure if the money had been.

Franklin County Assistant District Attorney James Andrews requested Ryerson’s bail be set at $1,000 cash or a Maine pretrial service contract.

He said Ryerson had a juvenile record that included burglary and theft convictions.

Andrews also asked that Ryerson have no contact with the victims, including the witnesses.

Defense attorney Woody Hanstein told the court Ryerson would be a good candidate for a pretrial agreement and an unsecured bond.

Hanstein said that it was Ryerson’s first offense as an adult. He has never failed to appear in court, Hanstein said.

Judge Cote set the bail at $300 or pretrial agreement and ordered no contact with victims and witnesses and no possession or use of intoxicants.

dperry@sunjournal.com