FAIRFIELD -- A second suspect remained behind bars Saturday on $125,000 cash bond in connection with armed burglaries Friday in the Shawmut section of Fairfield.

Matthew Davidson, 22, of Green Road, Fairfield, turned himself over to police late Friday, Deputy Fairfield Police Chief Steve Trahan said Saturday.

Paul Biester, 19, of New Jersey, was arrested Friday evening and charged with burglary and theft.

In their search for the second suspect Friday, police had visited Davidson's home and had spoken to Davidson's father, Trahan said. Police believe the men may have been involved in burglaries of homes in Waterville, Winslow, Fairfield and Oakland.

State police used tracking dogs to chase the other suspect, who turned out to be Davidson, Trahan said. Officers from Waterville, Winslow, the Kennebec County Sheriff's Department and Fairfield also participated in the investigation.

The men are charged with felony burglary because of a firearm found in the getaway car. They are charged additionally with theft, refusing to submit to arrest and receiving stolen property.

A loaded nine-millimeter handgun, apparently stolen from a home on Somerset Avenue in Shawmut, was found inside the pair's vehicle, which also had been stolen from a rental company, Trahan said.

"The did this in broad daylight -- they were kicking in the doors of the houses and the neighbors could see them as plain as day," Trahan said. "I was very concerned that somebody was going to get hurt.

"A lot of firearms were stolen in the area."

Trahan said he and Police Chief John Emery responded to the first call at 1:52 p.m. Friday, when they received a report of a burglary on Somerset Avenue. The residents were not home at the time, he said.

Trahan said the men got into a blue car after he confronted them in the driveway and attempted to get away.

With one of the exit roads blocked by a police cruiser, the men then allegedly drove across lawns and tried to "power" the vehicle over a ditch.

The car crashed into the ditch and the men ran off.

Biester was found by a state trooper hunched down in a cornfield and was arrested, Trahan said.

Police meanwhile continued their search for the second suspect.

Trahan said there were at least four separate burglaries allegedly committed by the men in the Shawmut area on Friday alone.

Doug Harlow -- 474-9534, Ext. 342

dharlow@centralmaine.com