The Maine Edge Criminal Mischief

Local scam alert

BANGOR – As of May 31, 2010, the Bangor Police Department has responded to two separate calls involving attempted scam phishing for victims’ credit card numbers.
In both cases, a male suspect called local businesses and stated he was a Bangor Police detective assisting the FBI and asked for the most recent customers that have charged items and to give him their credit card numbers. Both businesses refused and called police.
The Bangor Police Department is not officially calling and department officials say they would never, under any circumstance, ask for that information over the phone. If you have been victim or received any calls like this, we would urge you to call your local police department and report it.

Tell us how you really feel

OLD TOWN – A Bangor man wasn’t impressed with the “click it or ticket” campaign that many local police are enforcing this summer.
Officer Christine McAvoy was on a seatbelt enforcement detail when she saw a man not wearing a seat belt traveling on Stillwater Avenue on May 25 around 8:35 p.m. She stopped him as he turned into the Hannaford parking lot. When she informed the driver, William Harris, 42, of Bangor, of the reason for the stop, he reportedly replied, “Horsesh-t, f—king bull sh-t charge.”
He informed the officer that his license was suspended and that he was driving a rental vehicle. McAvoy confirmed that Harris’ license was suspended and learned that he had bail conditions. He was arrested for violating his bail and transported to Penobscot County Jail by Officer Josh Loring. He was also ticketed for failure to wear a seatbelt.

Fueling dreams

BANGOR - On Saturday, June 5, 2010, area police will be holding the annual Circle K Law Enforcement Torch Run “Fueling Dreams” fundraiser from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Circle K on 301 Odlin Road in Bangor. This event is very simple: Police officers will be pumping fuel to customers and also washing windshields for tips. All tips go to Special Olympics of Maine. Police urge you come to Circle K this Saturday, get a fill up, your windshield washed and “Tip A Cop” for Special Olympics.

A homeowner catches bad guy in the act; police catch bad guy running away

BANGOR - On May 24, 2010, at about 3:15 p.m., Bangor Police officers responded to a Birch Street address to the report of a home burglary in progress. Officers were given suspect descriptions while en route and immediately scoured the area.
Officers gathered that the homeowners had left for about 45 minutes and when they returned they had noticed someone run into their bathroom as they walked in. The male homeowner approached the man, later identified as Eric J. Becker, 29, of Brewer, and asked what he was doing. The suspect made a threat and then ran from the house with the homeowner chasing him. The homeowner was unable to catch the suspect but officers in the area quickly located Becker in the Essex Street area and he was subsequently arrested and charged with burglary, a class A felony, and criminal threatening, a class C felony.
He remains at the Penobscot County Jail as of Monday, May 31.