Republican Canvasser Identified in Package Theft Incident

<figure><img alt="Susan Collins" src="https://thedailybeast-thedailybeast-prod.web.arc-cdn.net/resizer/v2/DQMOWTZEV5FSNHHD5SRNNDWCMY.jpg?auth=96d29004d0a0be3f66a5c1ead43e16cf376b85f246fb8851ff98feaf30974171&amp;smart=true&amp;width=4000&amp;height=2250" /><figcaption>Graeme Sloan/Getty Images</figcaption></figure><p>A man canvassing for Republican Senator Susan Collins was recorded taking a package from a home he visited. The video, shared on social media, shows a man wearing a shirt with the name of Stronger Maine, a super PAC supporting Collins, stealing a package from a homeowner's doorstep.</p><p>The Sagadahoc County Sheriff’s Office announced on Thursday that the individual involved, referred to as the "package thief/political campaigner," has been identified, and charges are expected, although the man's name has not been disclosed.</p><img alt="The man wore a shirt with Collins' name on the back. / Jill Margaret/Facebook" height="708" src="https://thedailybeast-thedailybeast-prod.web.arc-cdn.net/resizer/v2/LARGIIG3LNA7PHHFZGKIRDIU5I.jpg?auth=4b761fa256897d74e634be5b92070ea034e256854e7c742f393b53282eaa6b8f&amp;smart=true&amp;width=844&amp;height=708" width="844" /><p>Sheriff Joel Merry informed the Bangor Daily News that the man has not yet been arrested, and the investigation is ongoing. "We’re making good progress," he stated.</p><p>The victim, Mare Cressey, shared footage of the incident on Facebook, indicating that the theft occurred around 4 p.m. after she had received a package at approximately 2:30 p.m. Cressey expressed her frustration in her post, noting that the canvasser left a flyer on her door.</p><img alt="The victim shared a photo of the package thief on Facebook. / Mare Cressey/Facebook" height="2048" src="https://thedailybeast-thedailybeast-prod.web.arc-cdn.net/resizer/v2/FQXCYJBOXNA4ZBTWPCWW3WFXUY.jpg?auth=559e19fbd1623bdc8b95e056e0bf57903af9ad2b17934b0d653bc2045484255d&amp;smart=true&amp;width=946&amp;height=2048" width="946" /><p>Other residents noted on social media that the man had also visited their homes. The Daily Beast has reached out to Collins' office and Stronger Maine for comments.</p><p>Blake Kernen, a spokesperson for Collins' campaign, stated that the individual is not affiliated with the Collins for Senator campaign. A source from Stronger Maine indicated that the PAC terminated the canvasser immediately upon learning of the incident and has contacted Cressey to offer reimbursement for her stolen package.</p><img alt="Susan Collins is facing a series of missteps in her campaign for a sixth term in the Senate. / CJ Gunther/Getty Images" height="4000" src="https://thedailybeast-thedailybeast-prod.web.arc-cdn.net/resizer/v2/NBIGS5DAXFAZBIWBHWOAJ6TEYY.jpg?auth=a2b9c76dbdd0da1d78430b300343f424da30d53ab39dcb0d057c99c99fdb6622&amp;smart=true&amp;width=6000&amp;height=4000" width="6000" /><p>Collins is currently facing a competitive race against Democrat Troy Jackson, a former president of the Maine Senate. The latest poll from Quantus Insights shows the candidates within a single percentage point of each other.</p><p>Collins has had a complicated relationship with former President Donald Trump, who has publicly criticized her in the past.</p><img alt="Donald Trump posts about Susan Collins on Truth Social. / screen grab" height="366" src="https://thedailybeast-thedailybeast-prod.web.arc-cdn.net/resizer/v2/N7BY4C6SGVCSPHYH44BJLNZTYE.jpeg?auth=482d1cc42fb4dff079dfc97ab7db628fc50e739d23552ad4a2aeb18ae4de3a94&amp;smart=true&amp;width=1168&amp;height=366" width="1168" /><p>Trump remarked earlier this year on Truth Social, "Republicans, when in doubt, vote the exact opposite of Senator Susan Collins. Generally speaking, you can’t go wrong." </p><p><a href="https://www.thedailybeast.com/must-win-republican-susan-collins-canvasser-busted-as-porch-pirate-in-maine/">Read more at The Daily Beast.</a></p>