Police investigate possible altercation

Courtesy of Sgt. Paul Edwards of the Bangor Police Department

BANGOR - On August 29 about 1:25 a.m. the Bangor Police Department responded to a report of an unconscious man lying in the street under the Joshua Chamberlain Bridge on Union St. A 47 year old man whose name is being withheld was found to be unconscious.

The victim was taken to the Eastern Maine Medical Center by Bangor Fire. The preliminary investigation indicates the man was involved in an altercation on the street.

At this time the victim remains hospitalized. It is believed that a large number of people were on Union St. under the bridge and may have witnessed this altercation. Anyone with information on this incident is urged to call the Bangor Police Department at 947-7382 ext. 6.

This incident remains under investigation by the Criminal Investigation Division.

Another arrest in Topsham arson

Courtesy of Maine Public Safety

TOPSHAM - The State Fire Marshal's Office says a second young man has been arrested in connection with the fire earlier this month that destroyed a vacant apartment house in Topsham. Fire Marshals and Topsham Police arrested Monday afternoon Zechariah Menchaca, 18, of Topsham and charged him with arson. Menchaca was arrested in Brunswick and was transported to the Two Bridges Jail in Wiscasset, where he is being held in lieu of $100,000 bail. His first court appearance will be this week.

Menchaca lives at Merrymeeting Condos in Topsham, which is also where the other young man arrested in this case lives. Robi Saputra, 21, was charged with arson on August 18.

The fire on August 17 destroyed a four unit abandoned apartment house on the Brunswick Naval Air Station Annex, which is located in Topsham.

Area Wanted 8.25.2010

The following people have active warrants with the Penobscot County Sheriff’s Office as of August 23, 2010. Please contact your local law enforcement agency if you have information about the current whereabouts of these individuals.

James Carlow

Age: 25

Charge: Failure to appear, 6 Warrants

Last known address: Lincoln

Eric Junkins

Age: 34

Charge: Failure to appear, 2 Warrants

Last known address: Hampden

See an error? Please direct your questions to 947-4585.

The Maine Edge Criminal Mischief

What’s your hurry?

ALTON – We all know there’s no excuse for travelling in excess of 55 miles over the posted speed limit. Still, one Massachusetts man’s excuse seemed pretty lame.

Det. Jay Pelletier summoned Jian Ye, 21, of Malden, Mass., for criminal speed after he paced him at 120 mph on I-95 in Alton. He reportedly said that his girlfriend had to go to the bathroom.

Can’t stay here

OLD TOWN – A Frankfort man was arrested for violating his bail after he wouldn’t leave a bar where he was no longer welcome.

An employee of the Riverfront Pub flagged down Officer Lee Miller on Aug. 21 around 12:14 a.m. to ask the officer to assist in removing an unwanted patron. The employee told the officer that a man, later identified as Daniel Robbins, 49, of Frankfort, was overly intoxicated and disrupting customers and he wanted him to leave.

Miller located Robbins and explained the situation. He noted that the man seemed intoxicated and was unsteady on his feet. Dispatch told Miller that Robbins had bail conditions stemming from an operating under the influence arrest not to possess or consume alcohol. Robbins was placed under arrest and taken to the Old Town Police Station where it was determined he had been drinking. He was then escorted to Penobscot County Jail.

Should I not have done that?

ORLAND – Tpr. Greg Roy issued Desirae Reed, 27, of Orland, a summons for displaying a fictitious inspection certificate as a result of a traffic stop on Rt. 1 in Orland. Reed had apparently cut the number 7 from a 2010 sticker and placed it in the number 1 slot.

‘I haven’t drinking at all’

OLD TOWN – An Enfield, Conn. man went to jail after officers determined he was more than twice the legal limit to drive over the weekend.

On Aug. 21, around 1:46 a.m., Officer Christine McAvoy was on patrol on Main Street when a vehicle in front of her took a wide turn, crossing over the empty parking spaces before the driver over-corrected and crossed the yellow line into the oncoming travel lane, according to police. After it took another wide turn onto Center Street, the officer stopped the car and spoke to the driver, later identified as Brian Rossignol, 31, of Enfield, Conn. Rossignol had difficulty with his documents, and McAvoy noted signs of impairment, including glassy eyes, slurred speech and the smell of alcohol. When she asked him how much he had to drink, he reportedly replied, “I haven’t drinking at all.” Later he reportedly admitted to consuming several drinks.

The officer administered field sobriety tests, which Rossignol did not complete to the officer’s satisfaction. When asked if he should be driving, he allegedly said, “I should have let someone else drive.”

He was placed under arrest and an Intoxilyzer showed his breath alcohol was at 0.19 percent, more than twice the legal limit. A license check also showed that his license was suspended in both Maine and Connecticut. Police also located a marijuana joint in the car. Rossignol was taken to Penobscot County Jail and charged with operating under the influence, possession of a usable amount of marijuana, operating after suspension and possession of an open container.

How about them apples

PERRY – One man went to jail for throwing apples at two other people last week.

On Aug. 15, Tpr. Miles Carpenter, Tpr. David Barnard and Sgt. Jeffrey Ingemi responded to Perry for a family fight complaint. Darrell Trott, 46, was arrested for two counts of domestic assault and was also summoned for possession of a firearm by a felon. Ronald Trott, 27, was also summoned for possession of a firearm by a felon. Darrell had thrown an apple at an adult male, striking him in the head, and then hit an adult female in the face. After he was arrested he became very combative and was transported to the jail by Pleasant Point PD in the cage.

Really?

ELLSWORTH – Police are trained to notice when someone is under the influence of illicit substances, which is why it’s a good idea not to be on them when appearing for your court date.

On Aug. 13, Tpr. Cliff Peterson was in Ellsworth District Court awaiting a trial when he observed a male who was nodding off and appeared to be under the influence of something. Zachary Hutchins,18, was arrested for violation of probation as he had drugs in his system.

Sticker shock

OLD TOWN – Usually when someone has false plates attached to the car it’s so the sticker isn’t expired, but that wasn’t the case on Sunday.

On Aug. 22, Officer Jim Fearon stopped a car for lack of an inspection sticker and noted that the registration had also expired back in May. When he ran the plates they came back to a different make and model than the car he had stopped.

The driver, Jan Dubois, 56, of Old Town, told him that she and her husband had recently purchased the car and put the plates from the old vehicle on this one.

She was issued a summons for attaching false plates and warned for the inspection sticker.

The Maine Edge Criminal Mischief

From PG to X

(Sheldon Paul, photo courtesy of Penobscot County Sheriff's Office)

ORONO – There are some things no one wants to see in 3D at a PG movie, and some middle-aged guy’s junk is probably on the list.

On Aug. 10, around 1:54 p.m., police were called to Spotlight Cinemas on Stillwater Avenue to deal with a man who was reportedly passed out in the theatre with his genitals exposed. A patron had alerted management to the man at the end of the screening of “Cats vs. Dogs: Revenge of Kitty Galore” a PG movie.

Detective Andrew Whitehouse and Captain Josh Ewing entered the theatre and saw a man, later identified as Sheldon Paul, 49, of Fredericton, Canada, who appeared asleep and was letting it all hang out. Police say that he had two beers near him and another one in his hand. When an officer woke him up, Paul spilled the beer on himself and also tried to cover his exposed genitals with his hands. Officers advised him to place his penis back into his pants and informed him he was under arrest.

The manager of the theater told police that he had been informed of Paul after the movie let out. He was deeply offended and wanted him removed immediately.

To make matters worse, a bus load of kids ages 8 to 14 had attended the movie from the Medway Rec Department.

Paul was charged with indecent conduct and police confirmed that he was on probation for similar actions.

Glenburn town councilor arrested for OUI

GLENBURN - A Glenburn town councilor was arrested for allegedly operating under the influence last week.

On Aug. 10, around 11 p.m., dispatch received a report of an erratic vehicle on the Pushaw Road in Glenburn. Shortly thereafter, it was reported that the vehicle had crashed into mailboxes. Deputy Noel Santiago and a Maine State Trooper arrived on scene and located the single-vehicle accident.

The vehicle was operated by Kevin Paschal, 48, of Glenburn; he was not injured. Santiago administered field sobriety tests, and when Pascal did not pass to the deputy’s satisfaction he was placed under arrest.

He was escorted to Penobscot County Jail for an Intoxilyzer that showed he was more than twice the legal limit.

Ballooning crime

ORONO – It was all fun and games until the cops came for the four men who were summoned for allegedly chucking water balloons at cars, signs and people.

On Aug. 14, around 9:52 p.m., a caller reported that people were throwing water balloons at parked vehicles. Then, around 10:55 p.m., a couple called police reporting that men in a red car had thrown water balloons at them, striking one in the back and the other on the leg.

Around 11 p.m., there was yet another report of water balloon chucking by the Milford Mobile. Officers Lee Miller and Brian Doyle of the Old Town Police Department had stopped a vehicle matching the description on College Avenue.

Sgt. Scott Scripture and Officer Ed Leskey arrived and spoke with Colin Ziegenbein, 20, of Milford; Ethan Shanley, 20, Evan Paradis, 20, and Ryan Daniel, 20, all of Old Town. The men reportedly admitted to throwing water balloons at people, vehicles and street signs. They were summoned for disorderly conduct.

Mind in the gutter

ORONO – An area man couldn’t manage to stay out of trouble after police found him snoozing in his car on the lawn of a school.

On Aug. 7, around 9:49 p.m., police received a complaint about an erratic vehicle. Officer Stephen Marko and Detective Whitehouse investigated the Pine and Mill Street area and Officer Dan Merrill heard the radio traffic while he was in the station. He went outside and located a vehicle, matching the description of the one being sought, parked on the lawn near the playground at the Asa Adams School, with the driver reclined in the front seat, sleeping.

He woke the man and was able to identify him as Mike Cordero, 47, of Bangor, who told the officer he was resting. He appeared intoxicated, and had a hard time keeping his balance and seemed emotional, according to police. He was placed in handcuffs until officers could determine what was going on. They learned that he did not have a valid license and summoned him for operating without a license. The car was towed and he was free to go.

Cordero reportedly yelled at the officer when Merrill attempted to perform an inventory search of the car before it was towed. He then walked off towards the town hall and the officer could hear something being struck with a solid object. Whitehouse and Marko drove by to investigate and saw that Cordero had apparently pulled the metal drainage grate from the ground.

Police attempted to take him into custody. Cordero reportedly resisted, but was eventually subdued and taken to Penobscot County Jail. He was additionally charged with disorderly conduct and refusal to submit to arrest or detention.

The Maine Edge Criminal Mischief

No horsing around on the interstate

OLD TOWN – Old Town officers assisted Maine State Police when two 2,000 pound draft horses fell out of a horse trailer without the drivers noticing on I-95.

On Aug. 8, around 6:23 a.m., police received the call. They located the two animals that had injured their legs in the fall, but were able to walk around. The officers described the animals’ injuries as road rash.

They were able to lead the animals off the interstate and wait for the owners to come and pick them up.

Dressing down

OLD TOWN – An area man went to jail after police were called to his house for two different noise complaints.

On Aug. 8, around 7:15 p.m., police were called to Lance Court because someone complained that David Russell, 50, of Old Town, was reportedly in his car, dressed only in his underwear, revving his engine. Police issued him a disorderly conduct warning for the noise and left the area.

Around 9:43 p.m., police were again called to the residence, this time for the report of loud music. When officers arrived, they could hear music as well as talk radio coming from the residence. The door to the residence was open and Russell appeared and spoke with the officers. He said he would turn down the music, but he was informed he was under arrest since he had already been warned earlier.

He was taken into custody and escorted to Penobscot County Jail.

Getting gassed while lit

ORONO – Alert employees called police on a reportedly intoxicated Bangor man who stopped for gas.

On Aug. 4, around 1:15 p.m., employees at the Big Apple called police when a man who appeared intoxicated came into the store. Witnesses told police that he then got back into his car and drove over to the pumps, nearly striking them.

Sgt. Scott Wilcox and Officer Jason Zalva arrived and spoke with the man who was identified as Jeremy Elliot, 30, of Bangor. Police noted that he was swaying, his speech was slurred and he smelled of alcohol. They administered field sobriety tests and he did not pass to the officers’ satisfaction. He was informed he was under arrest and he became uncooperative and was taken outside, where after a scuffle he was handcuffed and had his legs restrained.

He was taken to Penobscot County Jail, was subsequently pepper sprayed by the jail staff and had to be placed in restraints.

He was charged with operating under the influence, refusal to submit to arrest or detention and three counts of sale and use of drug paraphernalia for three marijuana pipes that were reportedly found in his car.

Can’t go back there

OLD TOWN – A man found himself in jail after returning to a place where he was told not to go.

On Aug. 5, around 11:56 p.m., Officer Christine McAvoy received a call about an intoxicated man walking down the street carrying two duffel bags and bleeding from the head. While en route to find him, she was flagged down by another citizen alerting her to a man who had fallen down. While looking for him, she heard a crash and saw a man fall in an enclosed porch at a residence.

The officer identified him as Shane Syjgala, 35, of Medford, who had been given a criminal trespass warning at another house earlier in the evening. McAvoy noted that Syjgala had knocked a pane of glass from the porch door. The owners did not want to press any charges.

Rescue was called, but he declined treatment and was released.

Syjgala then walked back to the house where he had initially been issued the trespass warning and was placed under arrest and taken to Penobscot County Jail.

The Maine Edge Criminal Mischief

Repeat that for me?

BREWER – A man was arrested twice for reportedly violating his bail two times exactly a week apart.
On July 25, Officers Rodney Gerald and Ed Willey were called to a store on North Main Street for the report of a fight. When they arrived they spoke with Thomas Nadeau, 77, of Brewer. Dispatch told the officer that Nadeau had bail conditions not to possess or consume alcohol and to submit to random search. Since he was in possession of a bottle of alcohol he was placed under arrest and taken to Penobscot County Jail.
Then on Aug. 1, a woman dialed 911 and hung up. When dispatchers called back she told them she was being “called names” by Nadeau and he had left after she dialed 911. She was able to give Officer Danny Costain a description and direction of travel. Costain recognized Nadeau from a picture on his mobile laptop. He located him on a lawn chair on State Street with a half gallon of liquor in a shopping bag.
Nadeau reportedly denied his bail conditions, calling them “a misunderstanding.” But the officer confirmed they were active and placed him under arrest for violation of conditions of release.

New tricks

GRAND LAKE STREAM – Police had to remind a woman from Connecticut that she shouldn’t enter other people’s homes without consent – no matter how much she wants to walk the dog.
On July 27, Tpr. Kimberly Sawyer received a criminal trespass complaint from a woman in Grand Lake Stream that another woman from Connecticut had trespassed into her home to take the dog out for a walk.
The woman was warned about entering others’ homes without permission. She told police she was concerned for the dog because he was barking and crying and she hadn’t seen anyone there in three days.

Rub-a-dub-dub, wait what’s in the tub?

OLD TOWN - An Old Town man has seen a lot of local law enforcement in the past week.
On July 21, police had received information that David Russell, 50, of Old Town, was growing marijuana in his residence at the Regency Trailer Park. Officers asked him for permission to search his house, and Russell consented. Police located three marijuana plants in the bathtub, where they had been growing under lights, according to police. He was summoned for cultivation of marijuana.
On July 31, around 9:58 p.m., police were called by a woman who was reportedly being harassed by Russell. She told police that he kept coming to her door and asking to be let in. After the third time, she locked herself in her bedroom and called police.
Police had been called to Russell’s house for a noise complaint around 8:23 p.m., and Officer Josh Lorning had issued him a disorderly conduct warning for the loud music. When Officer Michael Holmes arrived, he could still hear loud music and arrested Russell for disorderly conduct and transported him to Penobscot County Jail.

Not passing inspection

BREWER – Lack of an inspection sticker led to drug chargers for a Bangor man.
On July 27, around 5:27 p.m., Officer Steve Boyd stopped a vehicle for not having an inspection sticker. He learned that the driver, Julie Simpson, 22, of Bangor, was on probation with conditions that she submit to random search without probable cause.
Her passenger, Chad St. Pierre, 33, of Bangor, gave officers permission to search his person and they located 30 milligrams of Oxycodone. St. Pierre was placed under arrest and charged with possession of schedule W drugs. Simpson was also placed under arrest at the request of her probation officer.

Man allegedly fires gun towards people

EAST MACHIAS – Maine State Troopers arrested a man for reportedly firing a gun in the direction of people.
On July 30, Sgt. Jeffrey Ingemi, Tpr. Jason Fowler and Warden Wayde Carter responded to a shots fired complaint in East Machias where it was reported that Patrick Mullen, 40, was shooting towards other people.
Sgt. Ingemi arrested Mullen for criminal threatening with a dangerous weapon and violation of conditional release. He was also summonsed for possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of a usable amount of marijuana.

Have gun, will point it

OLD TOWN – An Old Town man was arrested for allegedly threatening people with a rifle last week.
On July 27, Officer Christine McAvoy responded to Fourth Street for the report of men arguing; one was reported to have a gun. McAvoy arrived to speak with witnesses and requested backup from the Orono Police Department. Witnesses told McAvoy that Jon Wood, 42, of Old Town, had been walking down the street with a hunting rifle. The witness claimed that when he called out asking about the gun, Wood allegedly aimed it at the witness. He then went into his apartment and came out without the gun, stating that he did not have a gun. He returned to his apartment before police arrived. The witness said he was not familiar with Wood and didn’t know why he pointed the gun at him.
Police were able to contact Wood via phone and he came out of his apartment and was placed in hand cuffs. Police located pepper spray on his person, but he wasn’t carrying the gun. He denied threatening anyone or getting into an argument.
He was placed under arrest for criminal threatening with a dangerous weapon and taken to Penobscot County Jail.

Bait and switch

WHITING - On July 31, Tpr. Andrew Foss and Tpr. John Matthews responded to a tractor trailer roll-over crash in Whiting where a fish truck lost a wheel, causing the truck to lose control and roll over, spilling 22,000 pounds of bait fish. MDEP and MDOT also responded along with the local fire department.

Man arrested for terrorizing

TOWNSHIP 19 – On July 31, Tpr. Mike Southard responded to a threatening complaint on blueberry grounds in Township 19. A security guard at the compound reported that a Hispanic male had been drinking and had threatened two other subjects with a knife. Joel Martinez, 34, of Eagle Pass, Texas was arrested for terrorizing. Sgt. Alden Bustard and S/A Mike Crabtree also assisted at the scene.

Just grin and bear it

TRENTON – On July 30, Sgt. Varney investigated a car-bear crash on rt. 3 in Trenton. There were no injuries and the Honda sustained about $4,000 damage. The bear ran into the woods and was not located.