Maine Blues

The Maine Edge Criminal Mischief

2011-12-14T14:45:00.000-05:00

What a drag

ORONO – A college student was reportedly treed after police found him dragging his buddy through a park late at night. Alcohol may have been a factor.
On Dec. 10, Officer Jason Zalva was called to Webster Park where a caller reported two men dragging a third person. He located the trio in the park, and when he illuminated them with his spotlight, one of the men took off running. The other conscious man also attempted to run, but fell shortly thereafter.
He radioed to Officer Wilfred King, who was in the area. He saw the man, who was later identified as Zachary Emond, 19, of Orono, running across the bridge. He activated his blue lights and followed him until Emond fled into the woods, ignoring King’s order’s to stop.
Old Town Police Officer Jim Fearon arrived with his K9 Pumba and Officer Brian Sirois from Veazie Police also arrived to assist. Pumba led the officers to the base of a tree. When they looked up they saw Emond in the tree.
King ordered him down from the tree, and noted a strong odor of alcohol when they spoke to him. Emond told officers that he and his friend were taking their other inebriated friend home. He was summoned for illegal possession of alcohol by a minor and refusal to submit to arrest or detention.
Rescue was called for the unconscious male who was transported to the hospital to be treated for consuming excessive alcohol.

Man charged in burglary

BANGOR/DEDHAM – A Bangor man was arrested and is facing felony charges related to a burglary that occurred in Dedham.
On Dec. 1, Trooper Greg Mitchell requested and received an arrest warrant for Joseph Sites of Bangor. Sites was later arrested in Bangor on the arrest warrant, which was based on a class B burglary and class C theft. Over $5,000 worth of jewelry was recovered as well.
The investigation stems from a burglary in Dedham that was reported on Nov. 22.

Failing to negotiate a straightaway

ORONO – A University student was taken to jail for allegedly driving under the influence.
On Dec. 10, Officer David Silk was on patrol on College Avenue when he observed a vehicle swerve several times into the breakdown lane and at one point cross over the center line.
He stopped the vehicle and spoke with the driver, Tyler Patzelek, 21, of Orono, and noted possible signs of intoxication. After the officer administered field sobriety tests, he placed Patzelek under arrest for operating under the influence. He was ultimately taken to Penobscot County Jail and charged with the offence.

Tools returned

TRESCOTT – A Lubec man is facing charges related to tools that were reportedly stolen in Trescott.
On Dec. 4, Trooper Andrew Foss summoned Dale Arrington of Lubec for burglary in reference to a burglary complaint in Trescott where tools were stolen from a residence. All stolen items were also recovered.

A new low

MARIAVILLE – Police were called to a residence because someone was burglarizing the house of someone who was recently deceased.
On Dec. 6 Trooper Cliff Peterson investigated a burglary complaint in Mariaville. The complainant reported that the lights were on inside a residence belonging to a deceased person. A window had also been broken. The investigation disclosed that the copper piping had been taken from inside.

Litterbug helps bust drunk driver

BREWER – A litterbug was a factor in getting a possible intoxicated driver off the road.
On Dec. 10, Officer Ed Benjamin was patrolling on South Main Street when he stopped an erratic vehicle. The passenger flicking a cigarette out of the window also contributed to the stop.
The officer determined that the driver, Rhoda Bouchard, 56, of Bangor, was possibly intoxicated and administered field sobriety tests. She did not pass to the officer’s satisfaction and was arrested for operating under the influence.

The Maine Edge Criminal Mischief

2011-10-27T13:34:00.000-04:00

Things not to talk about in front of cops

EDDINGTON/BREWER – A Dixmont man found himself in even more trouble after he allegedly asked his friend to sell the rest of his drugs after he had been arrested.
On Oct. 11, Penobscot County Sheriff’s Deputy Daren Mason was called to a residence in Eddington where a man reported that Garret Brooks had threatened him with a knife. Brooks had reportedly left and was at a residence on Liford Avenue in Brewer.
When Deputy Mason and Steven Saucier located Brooks, he reportedly admitted to the threatening charge and he was placed under arrest. He asked to be allowed to say goodbye to his friend. While Brooks was saying his farewells, Deputy Saucier noted that he overheard him tell his friend to sell the rest of the drugs, according to police.
A subsequent investigation revealed that Brooks had around 158 Valium pills in a backpack, along with a crystal-type power in clear plastic bags that Brooks told deputies was Ketamine (a horse tranquilizer that is also used as a date-rape drug).
A Suboxone pill had also been located on Brooks’s person.
He was then taken to Penobscot County Jail and charged with criminal threatening with a dangerous weapon, unlawful possession of schedule W drugs, both class C felonies and unlawful possession of schedule X and Y drugs, both misdemeanors.

Be cool, be cool…

BANGOR – An alert citizen helped police track down an alleged impaired driver.
On Oct. 21, around 12:30 a.m., Officer Josh Kuhn received an erratic vehicle call and learned that a car almost hit a telephone pole. The caller followed the Ford Explorer onto Second Street, and the officer approached the vehicle and spoke to the driver, who was identified as April Kane, 26, of Bangor. Kuhn reported that she appeared to be under the influence when he spoke with her and had to tell her several times to get off her cell phone while trying to interview her. Police said that Kane also attempted to light a cigarette backwards in her mouth.
The officer performed sobriety tests on Kane and as a result, arrested her for operating under the influence. After a search two pipes, a knife and a container with five Ritalin pills not prescribed to her were found. The car was also searched, and white powder consistent with bath salts and one and a half Xanax pills were found.
Kane was charged with misdemeanor unlawful possession of hallucinogenic drug, two counts of unlawful possession of drugs, operating under the influence and carrying a concealed weapon.

With a friend of a friend like that…

BANGOR – A “friend of a friend” didn’t act so friendly when he allegedly made off with a woman’s prescription medication and other personal items over the weekend.
On Oct. 23, at about 1:30 p.m., Officer George Spencer responded to a Moosehead Blvd. address to the report of a man, later identified as Damien Woods, 29, of Bangor, that had just stolen various items from the caller’s home.
The caller described the suspect as a “friend of a friend,” who had been staying with her, but he had left taking her prescription medication and other personal items. Woods was seen walking on Sugarloaf Lane and detained on a warrant for his arrest. A subsequent search of his person yielded the victim’s pain killer medication and cash, which were all returned.
Woods was transported to the Penobscot County Jail on the warrant and charged with theft and stealing drugs.

Cover me

BANGOR – Times are tough when you allegedly try to dodge a $3 cover charge.
Detective David Bushey and Sgt. Garry Higgins were working a hired shift at the Ramada Inn, Barnaby’s on Oct. 21 around 10:40 p.m., when an employee at the door to the bar asked Rolando Warren, 23, of Bangor, be removed as he believed he tried to enter the bar without paying.
The employee alleged that Warren had a bar stamp on his hand that was backwards, which was indicative of pressing his unstamped hand onto someone else’s in an attempt to get in without paying the $3 cover charge.
When police asked Warren to leave, he became argumentative, belligerent and refused to leave and was escorted to the parking lot, according to police.
Warren was given several more warnings to leave, but he continued to swear and yell at the officers, at which point he was placed under arrest. Warren fought with the officers, and after a struggle he was placed into a cruiser.
Warren was transported to the Penobscot County Jail, charged with failure to submit to arrest, criminal trespass and outstanding warrants for assault, disorderly conduct and refusing to submit to arrest.

Savage attack

BANGOR – A teen was arrested on felony charges for allegedly smashing out windows in a police cruiser.
On Oct. 22, at about 6:20 p.m., Officers Gary Decker and Joe Baillargeon ran to the police department’s parking to the report of someone actively smashing windows from one of the police cars.
Baillargeon arrived too late and observed a windshield smashed from a police car. When he asked the suspect why she did it, she responded with a disparaging profane remark. Alyssa Savage, 18, of Bangor, was arrested and transported to the Penobscot County jail charged with class C felony aggravated criminal mischief.

Fast way to jail

OLD TOWN – Speeding was just the beginning for an Old Town man who was stopped by police last week.
On Oct. 21, around 8:24 p.m., Officer Christine McAvoy was on patrol when she stopped Derek Comingo, 31, of Old Town for speeding. When she spoke with Comingo, he initially gave her a different name and date of birth, but the officer realized that the physical description didn’t match Comingo. She was eventually able to get his correct information and learned that not only was his license revoked as a habitual offender, but he was also out on bail, according to police.
He was arrested for violating his bail and taken to Penobscot County Jail where he was charged with operating after habitual offender revocation, failure to provide correct name and date of birth and violation of conditions of release.

There’s a right way and a wrong way

ORONO – An Old Town man went to jail after police said he was travelling the wrong way down a one way street.
On Oct. 22, around 1:10 a.m., Officer Jason Zalva observed a car driving the wrong way exit Mill Street and turn onto Main Street. He stopped the car and noted that the driver, later identified as Khaleid Butoto, 25, of Old Town, exhibited signs of intoxication, according to police. The officer administered field sobriety tests and Butoto did not perform to the officer’s satisfaction. He was placed under arrest and taken back to the Orono Police Station for an Intoxilyzer test. He was then taken to Penobscot County Jail and charged with operating under the influence.

Nanners’ napper nabbed

ORONO – Police have charged the man they think responsible for making off with Nanners the monkey from the Circle K gas station on Main Street in Orono.
Police received a tip from the public which eventually led them to Noah Tetu, 22, of Castine. He was charged with theft.
Nanners is still at large. The lavender monkey’s monetary value is estimated at $10, though it is suspected that the sentimental value is much greater.

Driving – you’re doing it wrong

HANCOCK – What happens when you text and drive, while speeding after losing your license? This.
On Oct. 21, Tpr. Cliff Peterson was on routine patrol when he saw a male driver in Hancock village operating 72 miles per hour in a 40 mph zone and texting while driving. Erik Tozier, 24, of Hancock, was stopped and subsequently arrested for operating after suspension and violating conditions of release.

I know that you know that you shouldn’t be driving

ELLSWORTH – Police recognized a driver who really shouldn’t be driving last week.
On Oct. 19, Tpr. Cliff Peterson was on routine patrol when he recognized Harold Chang, 22, of Hancock driving on Route 1 in Ellsworth. Tpr. Peterson was aware that Chang was a habitual offender, whose license was revoked. Chang was arrested for operating after revocation.

Bangor police investigate multiple criminal mischief incidents

2011-09-29T16:01:00.002-04:00

BANGOR – The Bangor Police Department has received 30 calls of criminal mischief incidents involving mostly motor vehicle windows smashed out since 4 a.m. on Sept. 29. The damage estimates are currently in the several thousand dollar range and calls have come in from virtually all over the city. If you were victim to similar type damage, police are urging you call and report it.

Anyone with information as to the whereabouts or identity of those persons involved are urged to call the Bangor Police Department at 947-7382. If you wish to remain completely anonymous, please call, press 6, and leave a message on the Tip Line.

The Maine Edge Criminal Mischief

2011-09-29T14:48:00.000-04:00

Junk in the trunk

ORONO – Police found quite a lot of junk in an Orrington man’s trunk, which led to felony charges.
On Sept. 23, around 12:40 a.m., Sgt. Scott Wilcox and Officer Jason Zalva were in the Pine Street parking lot when they saw a vehicle with its trunk open. As they approached, they could smell the odor of marijuana.
A search of the trunk revealed three gallon-sized baggies of marijuana, a mason jar also containing marijuana and a shotgun. Other containers with marijuana residue were also found. In the car, police found $2,000 in cash, four small bags of marijuana which appeared to be packaged for sale, two large bags of marijuana and other drug paraphernalia.
The car’s owner, Joshua Lapointe, 21, of Orrington, was arrested and charged with unlawful trafficking of schedule Z drugs, a class C felony.

Neighbor nixes metal heist

LAMOINE - Two people are facing charges for allegedly stealing metal from a property in Lamoine. They were thwarted by an observant neighbor.
On Sept. 25, Tpr. Cliff Peterson responded to a theft complaint in Lamoine after a woman reported that a neighbor had observed a strange vehicle on her property. The trooper responded to the area and eventually located two people who were in the process of cutting up metal belonging to the caller. Peterson arrested Jacob Hurd, 22, of Charleston, for theft and violation of conditions of release and Allison Perro-Underhill, 23, of Bangor, for theft and violation of probation.
Hurd and Perro-Underhill had parked their vehicle on the adjacent property and had been carrying the stolen metal down a path through the woods to their vehicle, according to police.

Your age is not a speed limit

CARMEL - An octogenarian was driving faster than his age, and it landed him in hot water, according to police.
On Sept. 19, a Maine State Police aircraft clocked a white Toyota Prius at 99 miles per hour. When the vehicle was stopped, the speed had increased to 108 miles per hour. The driver, J. Walter Miller, 82, of Hollister, Mass., was arrested and charged with speeding greater than 30 miles per hour (108 in a 65 mile per hour zone) and driving to endanger. He was taken to Penobscot County Jail.

Dogged determination

HAMPDEN – Police used a K9 to track a Monroe man who allegedly fled from police after crashing his vehicle.
On Sept. 24, around 1:15 a.m., Officer Marc Egan of the Hampden Police Department had stopped to speak to a man on the side of the road whose car was being towed out of the ditch. When the man, later identified as Travis Lane, 31, of Monroe, took off running into the woods,
Egan contacted the Bangor Police Department for assistance, and Officer Mike Jewett and his K9 partner Rex arrived. The pair tracked Lane over difficult terrain for around a quarter mile, and located him lying on the ground, according to police.
Lane was charged with operating under the influence and violation of conditions of release.

Beals man crashes car, charged with OUI

BEALS – A Beals man is facing charges for allegedly crashing his vehicle on Friday.
On Sept. 23, Tpr. Reid Bond responded to a motor vehicle accident in Beals. The operator of the vehicle, Curtis Williams, 27, of Beals, was transported to Downeast Community Hospital in Machias to be treated for minor injuries.
Williams was summoned for operating under the influence of intoxicating liquor.

Bangor man facing felony domestic assault charges

BANGOR – Police arrested an area man for felony domestic assault after an alleged altercation on Friday.
On Sept. 23, around 9:40 p.m., Officers Kim Donnell and Taylor Bagley responded to a residence on Third Street for a 911 hang-up call. When they arrived, no one was at the residence, but an hour and a half later, they received a call about a family fight at the same residence.
While speaking with the victim, police learned that she had been assaulted by Frank Tripp, 43, of Bangor. The victim had a protection order out on Tripp. While the interview was taking place with the victim, Tripp entered the residence. Donnell informed him that he was under arrest, but he refused to cooperate, according to police. After a struggle, he was subdued and placed under arrest and escorted to Penobscot County Jail.
He was charged with class C domestic assault (the charge was elevated to a felony due to a prior conviction of the same charge) and violation of a protection order.

Things not to possess during your bail check: The following

MARIAVILLE – A Mariaville man was not able to pass his bail check last week.
On Sept. 19, Tpr. Reid Bond conducted a bail check at the residence of Alonzo Lindsey, 27, in Mariaville. Approximately two ounces of marijuana was located in Lindsey’s room along with several prescription medications.
Lindsey was arrested and charged with violation of conditions of release, possession of scheduled drugs, possession of marijuana and refusing to submit to arrest.

The Maine Edge Criminal Mischief

2011-09-23T15:40:00.000-04:00

Coffee brandy found where it belongs

GREENBUSH/BREWER – Two Greenbush residents ended up going to jail twice in the same week.
On Sept. 16, the Penobscot County Sheriff’s Office acted on an anonymous tip about a marijuana growing operation in on the Cardville Road in Greenbush. Deputies found marijuana plants being cultivated behind the residence.
A search warrant was obtained and deputies found three to five pounds of processed marijuana, several plants and drug paraphernalia. William Bailey, 41, and Michelle Briley, 42, both of Greenbush, were arrested and charged with trafficking in scheduled drugs.
The pair made bail and reportedly were staying at a motel in Brewer.
On Sept. 19, Officer Liz Kelley of the Brewer Police Department conducted a bail check on the two. The officer located two bottles of coffee brandy, one hidden in the toilet tank. Briley was also found to be in possession of a tablet of Oxycodone. Both were arrested for violation of conditions of release and returned to Penobscot County Jail.

Man with illegal green thumb caught red handed

MONROE – Authorities caught a man cultivating marijuana when they found him watering his crop of more than 100 plants.
On Sept. 8, Maine Drug Enforcement agents and Maine Game Wardens found 107 marijuana plants on the property of Adam Lynn, 31, of Monroe, with Lynn watering them.
Agents noted that the plants were fully grown, over seven feet tall, and estimated their value at around $128,000. Agents also located a dozen small plots with approximately 10 plants each behind Lynn’s house. They also seized mushrooms, hashish and processed marijuana. He was taken to Waldo County Jail.

Buckle up – and don’t put drugs in your pants

BREWER – After stopping a vehicle for a seatbelt violation, police arrested one of the passengers on a drug violation.
On Sept. 17, Officer Mike Wilson and Cpl. Steve Boyd stopped a vehicle in the WalMart parking lot because the driver wasn’t wearing a seatbelt. The officers learned that the driver had a learner’s permit and the passenger did not have a license. While speaking with the occupants, Wilson noted the odor of burnt marijuana.
Police searched the vehicle but could not find the source of the odor. While frisking the passenger, Clayton Wilson, 18, of Brewer, police noticed two baggies containing white powder fell to the ground. The substance was identified as cocaine, according to police.
The investigation revealed that Wilson reportedly planned to sell the cocaine. He was arrested and charged with unlawful trafficking of scheduled drugs and taken to Penobscot County Jail.

Man reportedly stole from workplace

BREWER – A Carmel man is facing felony charges after he reportedly helped himself to the cash at the register over the course of several months.
Officer Ed Benjamin arrested Douglas Doucette Jr., 19, of Carmel, after employees of the retail chain where he worked observed him taking money from the till since July. Doucette reportedly admitted to stealing more the $1,000 from the register.
He was taken to Penobscot County Jail and charged with felony theft.

Room with a view – a terrible view

OLD TOWN – Police were called to deal with a nuisance naked man who was passed out on another person’s deck.
On Sept. 14, Sgt. Travis Roy and Officer Brent Fournier responded to a residence on Brunswick Street. The caller told dispatch that there was an unknown naked man on the back deck of his residence.
Police arrived and located a man, sans clothing, passed out on a mattress frame. The caller told police that the unconscious man had entered through a basement door and kicked the occupant, waking the homeowner. He then ran out of the residence and passed out where the police found him.
They had difficulty waking the man, who was later identified as Jacob Adams, 20, of Hampden, and called rescue to check on him. Once he was medically cleared, police learned that Adams had been drinking at a party where he reportedly removed his clothes and ran off. Other party-goers had attempted to locate him, but failed.
He was arrested on an outstanding warrant out of the Augusta District Court and further charged with assault and criminal trespass. He was taken to Penobscot County Jail.

Stop stealing

ORONO – After reading the signs on the wall, an officer issued a ticket to a tenant for having a stolen sign.
On Sept. 15, around 10:17 p.m., Officer Jason Zalva was at a Crosby Street address to deal with a noise complaint. While speaking with the tenants, he saw a Department of Transportation stop sign hanging on the wall. Jay Crabb, 20, of Orono, claimed ownership of the sign, but told police that he had bought it online.
Zalva saw that the sign had clearly been used, and could see where it had been hung on a post. Crabb eventually acknowledged that the sign may have been stolen but denied any part of stealing it.
He was summoned for receiving stolen property.

Batter up

DIXMONT – A teen scared off a would-be intruder.
On Sept. 13, Tpr. Forrest Simpson and Barry Merserve responded to a Dixmont address. A caller had reported that she and her 13-year-old daughter were home alone when they heard a sound on the roof. When they investigated, they saw a man on the roof. The daughter threw a baseball bat at the man, and he jumped down and fled the area.
Police conducted a K9 track which ended at a set of tire tracks. No further information was available.

Who, what, when, where…

ORONO – A Bangor man was hospitalized after imbibing too much alcohol.
On Sept. 15, around 11:12 p.m., Sgt. Scott Wilcox was on patrol on Park Street when he saw a vehicle pulled over and a man lying in the road. A woman was attempting to help him to the side of the road, as the man couldn’t walk without assistance. She told the officer that she was attempting to get him to his Orchard Trails apartment.
Wilcox spoke with the man, who was later identified as Douglass Haley, 20, of Bangor. Haley was reportedly under the impression that he was still in the frat house, and when asked his birthday he told the officer he had been born in 2001, then 1998. Police located his license and were able to determine his actual birth year.
Haley was reportedly unable to tell officers where he was, what the current date was or who was president. Emergency services were called and he was taken to the hospital. He was also summoned for illegal possession of liquor by a minor.

Speeder arrested by Biddeford Police

2011-08-18T17:05:00.000-04:00

(Jack Coffey, photo courtesy of Maine Public Safety)

SACO/BIDDEFORD - Maine State Police say the man who lead them on a high speed chase on the Maine Turnpike early Wednesday morning has been arrested. The chase began on the turnpike and ended on the Limerick Road in Arundel on Aug. 17.

Biddeford Police arrested Jack Coffey, 51, of Arundel, Wednesday evening on an unrelated charge of operating under the influence. Following that arrest, Biddeford Police contacted the Maine State Police and Trooper Bernard Campbell then charged Coffey with a second OUI, eluding a police officer and two counts of speeding, all a result of the police chase.

Coffey was stopped on the Maine Turnpike in Saco early Wednesday morning by Campbell for speeding and then lead police on a high speed chase that ended in Arundel. Coffey's pickup was found abandoned behind a garage and police think he fled into nearby woods. Coffey was then stopped by Biddeford Police Wednesday evening driving another vehicle.

He is free on bail and scheduled to appear in York County Superior Court on September 28.

Robbery in Brewer

2011-08-17T11:28:00.000-04:00

BREWER - The Brewer Police Department is investigating an armed robbery at the South Main Street Big Apple.

On Wednesday, August 17, at 2:08 a.m. the Brewer Police Department responded to a robbery at the Big Apple Convenience Store on South Main Street in Brewer. The lone suspect was described as a black male, approx. 5-foot 8-inches tall, thin build, weighing approximately140 to150 lbs, and clean shaven. The suspect was wearing blue jeans, a blue or black "hoodie," and a hat (unknown style or color). An undisclosed amount of cash was stolen.

The robbery involved the threatened use of force. It is unknown if the suspect actually had a weapon. The suspect left the store on foot, travelling north on South Main Street toward the Joshua Chamberlain Bridge.

Investigators from the Brewer Police Department believe that the suspect may have been in the area of the Big Apple store prior to the robbery. Anyone that has information about this incident or may have seen someone matching the suspect's description during that time period is asked to call the Brewer Police Department at 989-7001.

The Maine Edge Criminal Mischief

2011-08-17T10:01:00.000-04:00

Man on ‘bath salts’ attempts to disarm officer

(Christopher Buzzell, photo courtesy of Bangor Police)

BANGOR – Police arrested a man who was reportedly high on “bath salts.” The man allegedly attempted to disarm one of the arresting officers before being Tasered and taken into custody at the hospital.
On Aug. 14, around 10 a.m., Officers Eric Tourtelotte and Kevin MacLaren responded to a Mitchell Street address to the report of a domestic issue. Tourtelotte was the first to arrive and reported that a witness stated that a Christopher Buzzell, 27, of Bangor was on bath salts and had “lost it.”
As the officer looked for Buzzell, he heard a back door slam and learned he had run away on foot. MacLaren was in the area and on the lookout for Buzzell when he observed him running down Bolling Drive. Buzzell was uncooperative with MacLaren, resisting his commands to stop. The officer deployed his Taser to subdue Buzzell.
Tourtelotte rode with Buzzell in the ambulance to EMMC’s Emergency Room and reported that Buzzell was making statements that were consistent with being delusional and supported the earlier witness statement that the suspect was more than likely on bath salts.
Buzzell was left at the hospital. He was charged with refusing to submit to arrest or detention along with a probation violation once he was medically cleared.
That evening, around 8:45 p.m., Officers Russ Twaddell and Kevin MacLaren were dispatched back to EMMC in order to take Buzzell into custody for the previous charges as he was medically cleared for release. As the officers attempted to handcuff Mr. Buzzell, he screamed, became extremely combative, and was reported as “incredibly strong” as both officers grounded him. As they struggled to control Buzzell, Twaddell reported that he (Buzzell) grabbed his service pistol and tried to pull it out of the holster, to which defensive actions and the use of a Taser were deployed by the officers to detain him.
Buzzell was finally transported to the Penobscot County Jail and issued a second charge of refusing to submit to arrest or detention and class C felony assault on a police officer.
Officer Twaddell was treated for blood borne pathogen exposure and shoulder pain, and shortly thereafter cleared for full duty.

Man breaks window of downtown business

(Joseph Mailman, photo courtesy of Bangor Police)

(Mark Elkins, photo courtesy of Bangor Police)

BANGOR – An area man allegedly punched out a glass window in downtown Bangor before being apprehended by police.
On Aug. 14, around 12:30 a.m., Officer Jamie Fanning was called to 3 State Street because a man was reportedly screaming that he was on bath salts.
While Fanning responded, dispatch advised her that one of the men was seen punching out a window at a lower State Street business. The officer arrived and identified three men, one of whom was reportedly bleeding from his hand and had blood on his sneakers.
Police used a K9 to link the group with the damaged window and summoned Joseph Mailman, 24, of Bangor for criminal mischief. Mark J. Elkins, 27, of Bangor was also arrested on an outstanding warrant.

How to go to jail

LAMOINE – A Trenton man reportedly talked, or yelled, his way to jail last Wednesday.
On Aug. 12, Tpr. Mitchell received a suspicious complaint about a vehicle in a ditch on Birch Lawn Drive in Lamoine. Mitchell located the vehicle and its owner, Donnie Badger, 37, of Trenton. Badger reportedly became loud and belligerent and was ultimately arrested for disorderly conduct.

Police don’t like it when you tell witnesses what to say

OLD TOWN – It’s one thing to get your own story straight, but it’s a crime to try to make other people say the same thing. An Old Town man is facing several charges after he allegedly told a witness what to tell police.
On Aug. 13, around 8:24 a.m., employees of an Old Town business called police to inform them that a man was going through vehicles in the parking lot.
Office Christine McAvoy responded, and after interviewing witnesses spoke to Wayne Willette, 38, of Old Town. He told the officer to speak to another bystander, but she later learned that Willette had reportedly coached the “witness” with what to say.
Willette was issued a criminal trespass warning, and summoned for tampering with a witness and operating after habitual offender revocation. Police noted further charges may be pending.

Passed out drunk with a suspended license is also a violation of bail

STEUBEN – A Steuben man is facing charges after police found him allegedly passed out behind the wheel of a car he didn’t have a license to drive.
On Aug. 13, Det. Elmer Farren was conducting an OUI enforcement detail when he arrested Kirk Loud, 31, of Steuben for operating under the influence, operating after suspension and violation of conditions of release.
Loud was found at the end of the East Side Rd. in Steuben passed out behind the wheel.

Feel like a nut?

WHITING – A flagger called authorities when a passing motorist reportedly chucked a peanut at him while driving through a construction zone. Trooper Andrew Foss determined that the offending legume was thrown by relatives of the flagger, who then declined to press charges.

Brewer Police seeking info on robbery suspect

2011-08-09T19:36:00.000-04:00

BREWER - The Brewer Police Department is investigating a strong arm robbery that occurred in the Sherwood Forest area off Parkway South. At approximately 2 a.m. on Sunday, August 7, Brewer Officers responded to a reported assault in the Sherwood Forest neighborhood. Arriving officers determined that a local business owner was accosted by an unknown male as he entered his home. The suspect stole a quantity of cash from the victim. The Brewer Police Department believes that the victim was specifically targeted by the suspect and this was not a random crime.

After the incident, a K-9 from the Maine State Police was used to track the suspect, who fled on foot. The suspect was not apprehended despite officers searching the South Brewer area until sunrise.

The Brewer Police Department is seeking information from citizens who may have seen any unusual vehicles or people on foot (including pedestrians who may have been picked up and given a ride) during the hours of 2:00 a.m. to 6:00 a.m. in this area. The areas of interest include all of Sherwood Forest extending to Greenwood Drive as well as the Parkway South/Pendleton Street area extending to South Main Street.

Anyone with potential information about this crime is asked to call Detective Sergeant Jay Munson at 989-7001.

One victim succumbs to injuries

2011-07-26T16:00:00.000-04:00

NEW GLOUCESTER - The woman who was injured in yesterday's shooting, died today at Central Maine Medical Center in Lewiston. An autopsy is likely Tuesday on her body. State Police say there has been no change in the condition of the second shooting victim.

Meanwhile the suspect in the shootings, Joel Hayden, 29, remains under police guard at Maine Medical Center. He has not been charged, but will be as his condition improves.

The car involved in last night's chase is owned by second victim's mother, from New Bedford, Mass. It was towed to a State Police garage and will be examined this week. A team of detectives and evidence technicians have been searching the New Gloucester home today for evidence in connection with the shooting.

Shooting suspect injured in crash, under guard at hospital

2011-07-26T09:31:00.000-04:00

NEW GLOUCESTER - Maine State Police say that the two people shot outside a home in New Gloucester last night remain in grave condition at a Lewiston hospital. In addition, the man suspected of the shootings is in a Portland hospital recovering from injuries sustained when his car, being chased by police, crashed in Lyman.

The shooting victims are 27-year-old woman of New Gloucester and 28-year-old man of New Bedford, Mass. Both are being treated at Central Maine Medical Center.

Under police guard at Maine Medical Center in Portland is Joel Hayden, 29, of New Bedford, who is being treated for back injuries. Hayden was taken into custody after leading State Police on a chase from Saco to Lyman. The chase started after troopers attempted to pull over Hayden's Cadillac after spotting it on the Maine Turnpike.

The female victim and Hayden have four children, the youngest three month old twins, who live with their mother in New Gloucester. The four children were placed in the custody of grandparents following the shooting, which took place about 6:30 p.m. on July 25, outside the woman's residence. Police say the couple has a history of domestic violence.

Police today plan to search the shooting scene and Hayden's car and will continue to monitor the conditions of the two people wounded. Hayden has not been charged in connection with the shootings, but detectives have been keeping the Maine Attorney General's Office updated on the investigation.

History in blue

2011-07-18T12:52:00.001-04:00

90 years of Maine State Police

By Tpr. Tom Fiske
and Katy England
edge staff writer
kengland@themaineedge.com

For approximately 90 years the Maine State Police have been patrolling the highways and byways of Maine. Tpr. Tom Fiske a patrol trooper from Troop E has been updating and maintaining the history of the Maine State Police, as well as teaching it to would-be troopers attending the Regional Trooper Training at the Maine Criminal Justice Academy.
“I can’t take complete credit. [The history] was started long before I came along, and I took it and made it my own,” he said. He was hooked after he attended the Maine State Police Academy’s class on the agency’s history.
“I’ve always been interested in history, and that [class] turned me on to it,” he said.
Fiske noted that the history was pieced together from various sources, from newspaper stories from around the state to interviews with family members of former Troopers and Inspectors.
What follows is a brief history of the Maine State Police compiled by Tpr. Fiske, Sgt. Percy Turner and Major Randall Nichols.
Due to space constraints, I’ve boiled down some of the information and given it a narrative format. Any errors or omissions are most likely mine.

In the beginning
In July 1921, the Maine State Highway Patrol was formed with 34 members, known as inspectors, under the State Highway Commission. The organization would add another 35 officers in August. The inspectors were responsible for enforcing motor vehicle laws and collect fees for driver’s licenses and registrations. They drove Harley Davidson or Indian motorcycles, and were outfitted in green Army surplus uniforms. In 1922, the State Highway Police were placed under the supervision of the Secretary of State.

It wouldn’t be until 1925 that the Highway Police received more leeway to enforce the law in a broader sense. The governor created a separate department and appointed Arthur H. Field as the first Chief of the State Police. All of the members could now enforce all of the laws in Maine in addition to motor vehicle law, and were issued a motorcycle, pistol and a law book. And they did this for a whopping $28 per week (actually a decent salary back in the ‘20s).
In 1935 the State Highway Police became known as the Maine State Police, formalizing their changing duties and responsibilities. That same year, the department expanded once again, bringing the number of sworn troopers to 100. The next year, automobiles were introduced and a fleet of 47 sedans were purchased at $515 apiece (more like a monthly payment these days). The patrol cars were black and the highway safety vehicles were painted white.
It was also in 1936 that the department was divided into five distinct patrol sections in Wells, Fairfield, Thomaston, Bangor and Presque Isle, with the headquarters located in Augusta.
When the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941, many State Police begin statewide training programs with county and municipal law enforcement agencies. Before the end of the war, more than 25 percent of the agency would take a leave of absence to serve in the armed forces. In the meantime, troopers were issued Thompson submachine guns for the duration of the war.
During this time, troopers were given new duties that included setting up road blocks to ensure that civilians weren’t pleasure driving (i.e. wasting gas, which was being rationed at the time). Police found that most of the violators were workers using government vehicles.
Troopers also monitored traffic along the Route 1 corridor to ensure that drivers were using headlight covers or blackout lights, and troopers were also stationed at bridges and other areas deemed important.

Big moments in MSP history

Investigative work has changed over time, but murder, crime and mayhem remain constants. The Maine State Police have investigated countless crimes throughout the years, but some make bigger headlines than others.
In October 1937, New Jersey State Troopers arrested Paul Dwyer for the murder of Dr. James Littlefield and his wife Lydia. Captain Leon Shepherd processed the crime scene, utilizing emerging technologies in the field.
Throughout the strange course of the trial, both Dwyer and Deputy Sheriff Francis Carroll were convicted of murder. But 11 years later, Carroll was released on a writ of habeas corpus, due in part to evidence that was discovered by Shepherd but excluded at the original trial.

(Dwyer points out evidence at the scene of the crime)

In October of 1947, the Maine State Police radio system became integral in relaying information to firefighters who were battling a forest fire that was sparked in Oxford County and ravaged York, not stopping until it hit the ocean in Kennebunk. The fire reportedly burned over 200,000 acres and killed 15 people.
In 1956, a Limerick man shot and killed his wife and Westbrook Police Chief Pierre Harnois and wounded two state troopers. More than 100 police officers responded to the scene. The gun battle lasted more than five hours before the man took his own life.
Seventy troopers respond to Madawaska to maintain order during the 1971 labor strike at Fraser Paper Co. A confrontation between troopers and strikers and their families resulted in six police vehicles being damaged.
In 1980, 90 troopers were assigned to the Maine State Prison in Thomaston for a six-week prison lockdown. Later that year, two convicts escaped from the Maine State Prison, sparking the longest manhunt in MSP history, which lasted for 22 days. Hundreds of troopers, deputies, wardens and canines participated in the search that ended when Trooper Dennis Hayden of China and his canine located the pair.
When George H.W. Bush was sworn in as Vice President of the United States, troopers became involved with security at his home in Kennebunkport that continues to the present.
In 1983, 150 troopers and detectives provided security for the National Governor’s Conference in Portland, the largest call for troopers in the agency’s history.
In 1997, New England State Police Administrators Conference (NESPAC) was invoked to assist the New Hampshire State Police with investigating an incident where Carl Drega shot and killed two New Hampshire State Troopers, a judge and a news reporter before fleeing in a stolen cruiser. They tracked the gunman to northern Vermont, where two Vermont Troopers were wounded in the final shootout; Drega was also killed. Troopers from the traffic division and criminal investigation division also responded to investigate various crime scenes.
On September 11, 2001, all Maine State Troopers were activated after the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center in case of further incidents.
In 2002, troopers investigated the deadliest crash in Maine history, where a van with 15 occupants drove off the John’s Bridge in Northern Piscataquis County into the river, drowning 14.
In 2007, President George W. Bush met with Russian President Vladimir Putin at George H.W. Bush’s residence on Walker’s Point in Kennebunkport. Troopers were deployed for the gathering, which took place without incident.

We have the technology

The equipment used by troopers has evolved over the years. Here’s a brief overview of some of their gear from the early days to the present.
1921 – Inspectors are issued Harley Davidson or Indian motorcycles to patrol the highway.
1936 – Automobiles replace the motorcycles, though there are still some motorcycles in use.
1937 – The State Bureau of Identification is created to keep all criminal records in the state.
1940 – Roger that; the first two-way radios are being used, and communication centers are established in August, Scarborough and Wells.
1950 – Captain Roger Doyle collaborates with Ford Motor Company to develop the first domestic vehicles specifically upgraded for police patrol.
1956 – Roof lights are installed on patrol vehicles, and the department gets its first polygraph machine.
1976 – The MSP begin using citizen band radios for patrol. The underwater recovery team (i.e. the dive team) is formed as is the State Police Emergency Response Unit (more recently known as the Tactical Team). The Emergency Response Unit is called to Greenwood City that August to deal with a man who had opened fire on two troopers responding to the report of a disturbance. The man is arrested after an all-night standoff.
1978 – The aircraft enforcement unit becomes a permanent part of the agency.
1980 – The first mobile breath alcohol testing device is put into use for rural alcohol enforcement.
1984 – The hostage negotiation team is established.
1986 – The Maine State Crime Laboratory is built.
1988 – The 357 Smith & Wesson revolvers are replaced by 9mm Beretta semiautomatic pistols.
1994 – The bomb disposal team is created.
1995 – Video cameras are installed in cruisers for the first time.
1997 – The State Police Crime Lab is expanded to house a new DNA section.
2003 – Sworn troopers are issued laptop computers, and the agency makes the move to computer-based reporting.

Officer down
It’s no secret that being a Maine State Trooper is a dangerous job, and 10 troopers have made the ultimate sacrifice while serving in Maine.

1924, Patrolman Emery O. Gooch was killed when he lost control of his motorcycle in Mattawamkeag after joining the Highway Patrol a month prior.

1925, Trooper Fred Foster was killed when his motorcycle struck a horse hauling a load of hay in Belfast.

In 1928, Trooper Frank Wing was killed when his motorcycle collided with an oil truck in Millinocket. Wing had joined the Maine State Police two months earlier.

In 1964, Trooper Charles Black was shot to death responding to an armed robbery at the Maine National Bank in South Berwick.

In 1980, Trooper Thomas Merry was killed after he was struck by a car involved in a high-speed pursuit. Merry had positioned his cruiser as part of a roadblock and was seeking cover when he was hit.

In 1986, Trooper Michael Veilleux was killed when he lost control of his cruiser in Dayton. He had graduated from the State Police Academy the month prior.

In 1989, Detective Giles Landry was shot to death while investigating a report of child abuse in Leeds. The gunman also killed the woman that Landry was speaking with before committing suicide.

In 1994, Trooper Jeffrey Parola was killed when his cruiser crashed in Sidney while he was responding to a domestic violence call as a member of the Tactical Team.

In 1996, Trooper James Griffith was killed when a vehicle collided with his cruiser as he attempted to make a U-turn to pursue a speeding vehicle in Warren.

In 1997, Detective Glenn Strange succumbed to heart problems days after arresting a drunk driver who kicked and punched him in the chest in Linneus. Strange had been promoted to detective weeks before his death.

If you have pieces of Maine State Police history that you would like to share, you can email Tpr. Fiske at Thomas.D.Fiske@Maine.gov.

The Maine Edge Criminal Mischief

2011-07-13T08:59:00.000-04:00

‘Bath salts’ may be behind ruckus and damage in Brewer

BREWER – A Brewer woman is facing charges after allegedly taking “bath salts” and causing mayhem in a nearby apartment.
On July 10, around 10 a.m., Officers Liz Kelly and Ed Benjamin responded to a Harris Street residence where a neighbor was reporting a possible domestic disturbance under way.
When the officers arrived, they found no one in the house. Another incident was called in on South Main Street where the caller told dispatch that a woman had broken into his apartment and locked herself in the bathroom.
The officers arrived to find the woman they had been called to check on in the previous incident outside of an apartment building yelling, she was identified as Katie McAvoy, 29, of Brewer. Police had to restrain her, as she yelled that someone had a gun and was trying to kill her.
The owner of the South Main apartment told police that McAvoy had reportedly broken the radiator in the bathroom and trashed the apartment. The victim also alleged that McAvoy had attempted to attack his wife and nearly bit her, but he was able to restrain her while his wife called 911.
Another homeowner told police that McAvoy had also reportedly been in his residence. He didn’t see her enter, but saw her as she ran out the back door.
Police determined that McAvoy was under the influence of the substance known colloquially as “bath salts.” Though technically legal, these chemicals can cause erratic behavior and according to the Northern New England Poison Control Center, subjects can suffer from a psychotic break if they take too much.
McAvoy was arrested and taken to the hospital for a medical evaluation. She was also charged with violation of release conditions, criminal trespass and criminal mischief.

Another good reason to change your snow tires

EDDINGTON – Snow tires are out of season, and it’s a good idea to change them. Barring that, if you must keep your studded snow tires, we advise against keeping large amounts of drugs in your car.
On July 1, around 9:30, Dep. Daren Mason was working in Eddington when he heard a car coming down the road because it still sported studded snow tires (studded tires are required to be removed on by May 15), and he began following the vehicle to stop it. The car drove into the Tradewinds store and the deputy spoke with the driver, who identified himself with a false name, but was ultimately identified as Jeremy Ward, 33, of Yarmouth, and he could smell the odor of marijuana emanating from the vehicle.
One of the passengers, Cherie Anders, 24, of Portland, claimed she had the marijuana and handed over a marijuana cigarette. The deputy informed the occupants that he would be searching the vehicle and asked them to place their hands where he could see them.
Mason saw Ward reach down to his side and pull out a baggie that contained a white substance. Ignoring the deputy’s orders to stop his action, Ward reportedly placed the bag into his mouth and swallowed it. When Mason ordered Ward to spit it out, Ward reportedly opened his mouth and then said, “There, it’s gone.”
Mason called for a rescue unit, since he felt that Ward had just ingested a considerable amount of cocaine, and then asked Ward to step out of the vehicle. Ward instead lunged at the deputy, driving him into the car door, and after a brief struggle Ward fled into the woods.
Mason called for backup, but stayed with the vehicle, which still contained three people.
Multiple agencies, including Brewer Police, Holden Police, the Maine State Police and other Penobscot Sheriff’s Office Deputies arrived. Trooper Seth Edwards and his K9 Boris located Ward hiding in a swampy area approximately a quarter mile away.
A search of the vehicle revealed a large amount of marijuana.
Both Ward and Anders were arrested and taken to Penobscot County Jail. Anders was charged with trafficking marijuana, sale and use of drug paraphernalia and violation of conditions of release. Ward was charged with class C assault on an officer, possession of schedule W drugs, trafficking in marijuana, falsifying physical evidence and failure to give correct name.

That counts as a weapon

BREWER – A man who approached police was ultimately arrested after officers reportedly located contraband on his person.
On July 9, around 12:12 p.m., Officers Ed Benjamin and Kristie Bouchard were approached by a man who appeared agitated, according to police.
The man, who was later identified as Stephen LaCoote, 31, no listed address, claimed that he was being followed, but couldn’t tell the officers who “they” were. He said he had run out of gas and then left on food before finding the officers. Police asked LaCoote if he had any weapons on him and he reportedly replied, “No, just a kitchen knife in my back pocket.” He surrendered the knife to police for safety reasons.
When the officers followed the man to his vehicle, they noticed one of the windows had been smashed out, and he told them that it was broken a few weeks ago. LaCoote gave the officers permission to search the car, and they located a spoon that tested positive for cocaine. He also handed over two syringes from his jacket pocket. He was taken to the hospital for a medical evaluation and charged with unlawful possession of schedule W drugs and sale and use of drug paraphernalia.

Another reason not to pick up hitchhikers

ORONO – Though it’s never a good idea to pick up hitchhikers, it turned out to be quite a bad idea in one Orono man’s case.
On July 2, Sgt. Scott Wilcox and Officer David Silk were in the Orono Police Station when someone began pounding on the back door around 8:40 p.m. They answered the door and spoke with Adam Brooks, 37, of Orono, who told the officers that he had picked up a hitchhiker who refused to get out of his car.
Silk took a cruiser to the Circle K, where Brooks left his vehicle and Wilcox walked back with him. They speak with the other man, who claimed that Brooks had stolen money and a phone from him, but a search of Brooks and the vehicle turn up neither, and Brooks denied taking anything from the man.
While doing criminal history checks on both subjects, police learned that there was an active felony warrant for Brooks out of Florida for failure to redeliver hired or leased property valued at $300 or more. The warrant was apparently extraditable, and Florida authorities would be sending someone to fetch Brooks. He was placed under arrest and taken to Penobscot County Jail to await extradition.

Man escapes serious injury in Deer Isle crash

DEER ISLE – A Jackson man escaped serious injury after his car went out of control on the causeway on Deer Isle.
On July 9, Maine State Police investigated a single vehicle crash on the Deer Isle causeway. Tpr. Greg Mitchell determined that a 68-year-old Jackson man was driving his car north on the causeway when it left the road, striking several rocks. A witness told police that the man’s vehicle flipped several times before coming to rest in the road. Police said that it was miraculous that the car didn’t go into the ocean.
The driver was transported to the Blue Hill Hospital for minor injuries. Police noted that the car came to a rest in nearly the same location that the last fatal crash occurred on the causeway earlier this year.

Reminder: Bail conditions get checked

BREWER – A Bucksport woman is facing charges after police discovered contraband in her purse.
On July 8, around 9:28 a.m., Officer Danny Costain and Sgt. Arden Jones were called to a North Main Street. Employees had told dispatch that a man had been in the rest room for over an hour and they were growing concerned.
When officers arrived, they located the group of people crossing the street and identified them. One woman was identified as Alyssa Fleming, 23, of Bucksport, and police learned she had active bail conditions that included submitting to search without probable cause. She reportedly told police that she had items in her purse that she shouldn’t have. They located Suboxone, two needles – one containing fluid – and a rubber band for a tourniquet. Fleming was placed under arrest, taken to Penobscot County Jail and charged with violation of conditions of release, possession of schedule drugs and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Mother and son have similar response to charges

OLD TOWN – A teen has been banned from the city park in Old Town and is facing charges after allegedly breaking the railings in the gazebo.
On July 8, Officers James Fearon and Josh Loring received the report that juveniles had been kicking the railings on the gazebo in City Park, breaking them. The caller provided a description.
When the officers caught up with the teens, they identified a 17-year-old male from Old Town as the perpetrator and informed him that he would be receiving a criminal summons and a criminal trespass warning not to return to the City Park. When he heard that, the teen reportedly proclaimed, “This is f—king bulls—t.”
Due to his age, police contacted the juvenile’s mother and informed her about the trespass warning and charges facing her son. The mother reportedly opined, “This is f—king bulls—t.” She also informed Loring that she was no longer on speaking terms with him.
The teen began yelling loudly and swearing, at which point police warned him that he would be arrested if the behavior continued. The mother reportedly told police, “You can’t do that,” and demanded to speak with another officer. Sgt. Scott Casey was called to the scene and both the mother and son were warned for disorderly conduct.
The teen’s girlfriend came out of the house, spoke to both parties and was able to calm them down prior to Sgt. Casey’s arrival. Casey issued the summons for criminal mischief to the teen and the mother signed it.

The Maine Edge Criminal Mischief

2011-07-01T20:03:00.000-04:00

High speed chase ends in crash, running, felony charges

ORONO – A man who reportedly led police on a high speed chase through Orono is facing felony charges. No word on if his friend is upset that he dumped his motorcycle.
On June 24, around 12:21 a.m., Sgt. Scott Scripture was parked at the Circle K on Main Street and saw three motorcycles turn down Pine Street. A few moments later, two of the motorcycles came back up Pine Street, but the third drove the wrong way up Mill Street, a one way street, before turning right onto Main Street.
Scripture attempted to stop the motorcycle as it crossed the bridge, but the vehicle began accelerating. At the intersection of Main Street, College Avenue and Park Street, the motorcycle driver turned onto College Avenue in front of Trooper Chris Hashey who joined the pursuit, taking the lead.
The motorcycle traveled into Old Town, where police noted it had crashed into the curb and the driver had fled on foot.
Police were able to track down the registered owner of the vehicle, who informed them that Josey Mackin, 28, of Brewer, was driving it that night.
Mackin contacted police and agreed to come to the station. After the interview, he was charged with class C felony eluding an officer.
Captain Ewing said that further charges have been suggested to the district attorney’s office, including failing to stop, operating without a license, operating the wrong way on a one way, driving to endanger, criminal speed, leaving the scene of an accident and failing to report an accident by the quickest means.
He was taken to Penobscot County Jail.

Erratic driver arrested for OUI

ETNA/STETSON – A caller alerted police to an erratic driver that ended in arrest last Wednesday.
On June 22, around 9:58 p.m., Troopers Adam Coover, Michael Johnston and Sgt. Sean Hashey were called to I-95 for a report of an erratic driver weaving and speeding around 90 to 100 miles per hour.
The vehicle exited at 167 in Etna and travelled onto Rte 143, where the operation continued to be very poor, according to police.
Johnston stopped the vehicle in Stetson and arrested Mark Piccirrillo, 55, no address available, for operating under the influence.

Man brandishes pellet gun

GREENBUSH –Police were called to Greenbush to deal with a former tenant who was making trouble for the current resident.
On June 20, around 1:56 p.m., Tpr. Chris Foxworthy investigated a complaint in Greenbush where the caller stated that a former tenant was threatening to go to the trailer they used to rent and break all the glass.
While Foxworthy was en route, the landlord for the property called back and said that the former tenant, later identified as Daniel Libby, 20, of Milford, had run the current tenant off the road and in the process a passenger pointed a gun at the current tenant.
Investigation revealed the gun to be a pellet gun. Libby was charged with operating after suspension and his vehicle was towed from the scene.

Four people charged in brawl

HARRINGTON – Four people were arrested after a reported brawl last Friday.
On June 24, Tpr. Miles Carpenter responded to a report of a fight in Harrington, where Matthew Hart, 26, of Milbridge; Carolyn Engels, 43, of Harrington; David Engels, 39, of Harrington and Randy Swindell, 46, of Harrington were all arrested for disorderly conduct.
Detective Elmer Farren, Tpr. Andrew Foss, Washington SO and Milbridge PD assisted.

Since everything appears in order, you might want to pick up your wife

SEDGEWICK – On June 26, Tpr. Daniel Ryan conducted a well-being check on an 84-year-old man of Sedgwick after he did not arrive to pick up his wife at the airport. He was found at home and advised to pick her up.

Teens charged with trespassing

TOWNSHIP 3 ND – Two teens were charged with trespassing at a camp after the property owner caught them and held them until police arrived.
On June 25, Sgt. Tim Varney, Tpr. David Barnard and Tpr. Jarod Stedman responded to West Lake in T3 ND after a camp owner called Orono advising that he was detaining two young men who had broken into a nearby camp.
The investigation revealed that Jason Teifert, 18, and Dustin Homsted, 18, had gone into a camp that was under construction to look around at midnight. Both men were summoned for criminal trespass.

Trenton man facing domestic assault charges

TRENTON – A Trenton man is facing domestic assault charges after being arrested on Friday.
On June 24, Tpr. Greg Roy and Sgt. Alden Bustard responded to a domestic assault complaint in Trenton. A woman reported that her 2-year-old child had woken at approximately 5 a.m. and began crying. John Pratt, 34, became upset and began slapping the child.
Pratt then grabbed the woman and threw her on the floor as she was trying to leave with the child. He then left the residence in their vehicle.
Pratt was located a short time later and was arrested for domestic assault. He was also summoned for operating after suspension.

Funeral for SFC Jason R. Sargent

2011-06-30T10:56:00.000-04:00

ELLSWORTH - SFC Jason R. Sargent, 39, died in Georgia, June 25, 2011 after a courageous battle with cancer. He was born in Bar Harbor, July 9, 1971 the son of Mark T. and Pamela A. (Frost) Sargent.

His remains will be arriving back in Maine this afternoon (June 30) between 5 p.m. and 6 p.m. at the Maine Air National Guard Base in Bangor. Jason will be escorted by an Army Honor Guard and Maine State Troopers. A motorcade from Bangor to the Jordan-Fernald Funeral Home in Ellsworth will then occur. Below is the obituary for Jason. The family has express that the public is welcome to observe. More information with reference to visiting hours and services are available at the Jordan-Fernald website
http://www.jordanfernald.com.

Jason was a graduate of Ellsworth High School. He served in the US Army from 1993 until 2000. After returning to Maine he became a Maine State Trooper and then a Maine State Motor Carrier Inspector. In 2003 the Army sent him to Afghanistan for 12 months in Support of Operation Enduring Freedom. When he returned from Afghanistan he returned to work for the State of Maine until 2008 when the Army called again. Jason rejoined the Army Marksmanship Unit located in Fort Benning, GA and served there until now. Jason loved to compete in pistol competitions and teach others to shoot a pistol. He loved to fly airplanes, hunt and spend time with his family and friends.

Jason is survived by his wife of 16 years, Cindi and their three sons, Nicholas, Andrew and William; parents, Mark and Pamela Sargent of Otis; brother Ben Sargent of Otis; father and mother-in-law, Ed and Cindy Foss of Hancock; grandparents, Roger and Jeannine Sargent of Trenton, and Barbara Frost of Ft. Myers, FL. Jason also leaves behind many aunts, uncles, cousins, and a sister-in-law, two brothers-in-law, two nephews and many, many friends who loved him dearly and will miss him every day. He was predeceased by his grandfather, Harold Frost.

Calling hours will be held 4 to 6 p.m., Saturday, July 2, 2011 at Jordan-Fernald, 113 Franklin St., Ellsworth. A funeral service will be held 2 p.m., Sunday, July 3rd at the Maine Coast Baptist Church, Bangor Road, Ellsworth. Following the interment at Frost Cemetery, Mariaville, family and friends are invited to a celebration of Jason’s life at Beech Hill School in Otis.

Contributions in Jason’s memory may be Mary Dow Center for Cancer Care, 50 Union St. Ellsworth 04605 or to Caring Bridge.

Hall captured by Brewer Police

2011-06-29T11:58:00.000-04:00

BREWER/BANGOR - The Bangor Police Department received a call at approximately 8 p.m. on June 28 from the Dorothea Dix Psychiatric Hospital that William L. Hall had escaped from their facility by climbing the fence. Hall was being held at the hospital on orders by the court following his arrest on Murder charges on June 15 in connection with the death of a man on 4th Street in Bangor.

The Maine State Police and Penobscot County Sheriff’s Office assisted early on in the search. A K9 from the State Police was utilized to assist in tracking Hall following his escape from DDPC. The dog team lost Hall’s scent along the railroad tracks behind Qualey Granite on State Street near the Veazie line. Detectives worked through the night following up on leads in an attempt to locate Hall. This morning, Bangor Detectives spoke with a witness who was in the area of the Brewer Salmon Club last evening and witnessed a male, matching Hall’s description, swimming across the river from the Bangor side toward Brewer.

This morning at approximately 10:30 a.m., Brewer Lt. Chris Martin and Cpl.Nelson Feero located Hall walking along Route 9 and arrested him on the escape charges, after receiving information of a suspicious male walking in this area. Hall was transported to the Bangor Police Department for questioning. He will be taken to the Penobscot County Jail where he will be charged felony escape charges.

Deputy Chief Peter Arno extended his thanks to Maine State Police, the Penobscot County Sheriff’s Office, the Dover-Foxcroft Police Department, the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency, Veazie Police, Brewer Police and the Piscataquis County Sheriff's Office for their assistance in the case.

Man charged with murder escapes from Dorothea Dix Psychiatric Hospital

2011-06-29T08:33:00.000-04:00

BANGOR - At approximately 8 p.m. on June 28, the Bangor Police Department received information from the Dorothea Dix Psychiatric Hospital, that William L. Hall had escaped from their facility by climbing the fence.
Hall was being held at the hospital on orders by the court following his arrest on murder charges on June 15 in connection with a man on 4th Street in Bangor.
Hall is described as a white male, 29 years of age, 5-foot 7-inches, 150 lbs with dirty blonde hair worn in a pony tail. He was last seen wearing dark blue jersey shorts, a white t-shirt and no shoes.
Following his escape from Dorothea Dix, Hall was seen running towards Cascade Park on State Street. Currently, the Bangor Police Dept is working with the Maine State Police in an attempt to locate him.
Anyone with information about this case should contact the Bangor Police Department at 947-7382 ext. 0.

2011 Maine State Police awards

2011-06-22T18:10:00.000-04:00

Courtesy of Maine Public Safety

AUGUSTA - The Maine State Police held awards on June 9 to honor troopers.

Thomas Pappas was awarded the Trooper of the Year Award. Pappas has been a trooper since 2008, following two years with Portland Police. He patrols in Androscoggin County and is one of the department's top drug investigators.

Col. Williams called Pappas "a one-man drug task force."

In the past year, Pappas has investigated several drug cases, all started from a traffic stop. A large quantity of illegal drugs, weapons and almost $30,000 has been seized from those efforts. Pappas grew up in Queens, New York, graduated from high school in Harrington, Maine and worked as a lobster fisherman prior to his law enforcement career. He is the 46th trooper to be honored as Trooper of the Year. The award started in 1965 to honor Trooper Charles Black, who was shot to death at a South Berwick bank robbery in 1964. Pappas lives in the town of Bowdoin with his wife Gina and two young children.

Others nominated for trooper of the year were Doug Cropper, Troop A; Peter Michaud, Troop C; Chris Rogers, Troop D; Jarod Stedman, Troop E; Dan Dechaine, Troop F; Greg Roy, Troop J; Josh D'Angelo, Troop K; Mark Holmquist, CID I; and Joshua Haines, CID II.

Also honored at the annual State Police Awards Ceremony on June 9:

Special Awards of Commendation to Trooper James Leonard, Sagadahoc Deputy Sheriff Matthew Shiers and Bath Police Corporal Marc Brunelle for saving a man threatening to jump off the Sagadahoc Bridge between Bath and Woolwich.

Meritorious Service Awards to Sgt. Tom Ballard, Troopers Corey Smith, Jason Madore and Adam McNaughton, and Detective Jason Richards for their role in apprehending a man charged with murder in the town of Brooks.

Trooper Jonathan Leach received a meritorious award for single-handedly taking into custody an impaired driver who pulled a knife on him in Manchester in February.

Meritorious awards also presented to Trooper Patrick Munzing, Kennebec County Sheriff's Deputy Aaron Moody, Gardiner Police Officer Nate McNally and Pittston resident William Stover for pulling a woman from her wrecked burning vehicle in Chelsea in April. Office of Information Technology staffer Shawn Hoyle from Public Safety received a Colonel's Award for developing two computer programs used by troopers.

Litchfield resident Matthew Smith received a Special Award of Commendation for reporting a dangerous driver on Route 202 in Manchester in May and then taking the keys from the car to prevent the driver from leaving. It was later determined the woman driver was having a diabetic reaction.

South Portland police officer Kevin Webster was honored for his 14 years of service to the State Police Canine Training Unit. Since 1997, Webster has been involved in 24 training classes for police officers and their dogs.

A number of agencies were singled out for their help in last June's triple homicide investigation in the town of Amity, where two men and a young boy were stabbed to death. Honored were the Maine Warden Service, Aroostook Sheriff's Office, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Amity Town Manager Margaret Frye, United States Border Patrol, Dover, New Hampshire Police, the local office of the Maine Department of Transportation, Maine Drug Enforcement Agency and three staffers from the State Police Crime Lab, Cynthia Homer, Christine Waterhouse and Michelle Fleury.

Also honored were two civilians who are being credited with helping police identify Camden Hughes, the young boy whose body was found in South Berwick. Steve Scipione was the truck driver who found the pickup driven by the boy's mother and Lisa Gove was the woman who gave police a detailed description of the vehicle.

The Maine Edge Criminal Mischief

2011-06-22T12:57:00.000-04:00

MDEA seize thousands of dollars worth of pot

WALDOBORO – The Maine Drug Enforcement Agency says a Waldoboro man was arrested Monday morning after 21 pounds of marijuana was found in his vehicle last week.
Christopher Luce, 24, is charged with trafficking marijuana and violation of probation.
MDEA Supervisor James Pease said agents in recent months, along with the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Department and Waldoboro Police, have been looking into Luce, who was suspected of selling large amounts of marijuana from his house and business. Luce operates the Shoe Box in Waldoboro, a shoe store and head shop.
Pease said agents received information last week that Luce was expected to be in possession of a large amount of marijuana and they, along with the Maine Warden Service, deputies and Waldoboro Police, began surveillance of him.
On June 16, drug agents approached Luce who was sitting in his parked SUV at a convenience store in Union. Luce fled into nearby woods on foot. Several police agencies searched for Luce in the area, but he was not located.
On June 20, Luce turned himself in, through his attorney, to MDEA at the Knox County Jail. He is being held in lieu of bail and will likely be in court later this week, according to Steve McCausland of the Maine Department of Public Safety.
Agents seized 21 pounds of marijuana in the SUV that Luce was driving. The marijuana, which was two large bundles wrapped in plastic, has a street value of $42,000, according to police.

Bangor man arrested for throwing another person from balcony

BANGOR – A Bangor man was arrested for allegedly throwing another man off of a second-story balcony, causing severe injuries.
On June 19, around 2:44 a.m., Bangor Police received a call that a man had been pushed or thrown from an outside second story balcony. Officer Russ Twaddell, along with several other officers, responded to an Essex Street apartment building. Twaddell saw what appeared to be fresh blood at the bottom of a second floor landing, but was not able locate a victim, according to police.
Several witness statements were obtained, and officers converged on an apartment on the second floor of the Essex Street address. Lucas A. Glidden, 32, of Bangor, eventually answered the door.
After a search of the residence, police located a 20-year-old Holden man covered with a blanket on the couch, in poor physical condition. Bangor Rescue Paramedics quickly worked on the victim and transported him to Eastern Maine Medical Center where he remains and is listed in critical condition.
Bangor Police Department’s Criminal Investigations Division and members of the Evidence Response Team were also called in.
As a result of the investigation, Glidden was arrested and transported to the Penobscot County Jail, where he was charged with class B felony aggravated assault. He currently remains at the jail.

Not the way to argue your case

FRANKLIN – A man who decided to dispute his license suspension with Maine State Troopers ended up in jail.
On June 16, Troopers Thomas Pickering and Greg Roy were attempting to locate a residence in Franklin to conduct a bail check on a recent arrest when they encountered a vehicle stopped on the Chambers Rd. in Franklin. The driver was David Griffin, 36, and a check revealed that his license was suspended.
Griffin disagreed with the suspension and became belligerent and threatened bodily harm to Trooper Pickering, according to police.
Griffin was unsuccessful and was ultimately transported to jail, where he was charged with operating after suspension and refusing to submit to detention or arrest.

Keep the drama on the big screen

ORONO – A Corinth man was summoned for allegedly damaging the walls to a local movie theater after an argument about whether to stay for the rest of a movie or leave early.
On June 17, around 2:39 p.m., Orono Police received a call from employees at Spotlight Cinema who reported that a man and woman had been fighting; they believed one of them had punched holes in the wall. The employees told police that the pair had last been seen near the Burger King.
When Capt. Josh Ewing and Officer Stephen Marko arrived, the pair wasn’t there, but witnesses told them that the couple had gone into the woods behind the restaurant. They were located, and police identified Jacob Robertson, 21, of Corinth.
The investigation revealed that the couple had reportedly gotten into an argument about leaving the “Pirates of the Caribbean” movie early. People reported hearing loud bangs on the walls, and police determined that Robertson had damaged them.
He was summoned for criminal mischief.

Don’t go too far with that cleaner

BREWER – A Southwest Harbor man was arrested for allegedly trashing a bathroom and making off with cleaning supplies.
On June 18, around 12:56 p.m., employees from a discount store on State Street reported that a customer had trashed a bathroom, reportedly smearing feces on the wall, and then stole cleaning supplies before leaving.
Sgt. Anthony Pinette and Officer Amy Nickerson received a description of the man, later identified as Leon Jacobs, 37, of Southwest Harbor, and located him entering a pharmacy on Wilson Street, carrying a roll of toilet paper and a bottle of Spic n’ Span.
Jacobs had bail conditions that included being subject to search without probable cause. The officers located a dollar bill in his pocket that had a white powdery residue on it, that Jacobs claimed was Xanax. He told the officers he had a prescription for it, but was unable to produce it. Police note that the substance tested positive for Oxycodone.
Jacobs was arrested for violation of conditions of release, possession of scheduled drugs and receiving stolen property.

Bail violations in the digital age

BREWER – A Brewer man was arrested for reportedly calling and texting someone he was prohibited from having contact with.
On June 15, around 8 a.m., Officer Rodney Gerald went to a Parker Street residence to investigate a possible violation of bail. A woman told the officer that Joshua Long, 22, of Brewer, was calling and texting her, asking for money. He was out on bail with conditions not to have contact with her.
Gerald put out a teletype asking area agencies to detain Long if he was seen.
Sgt. Anthony Pinette and Officer Amy Nickerson located long on June 19 on Mill Street and placed him under arrest.

Taking the long way home

BRADLEY – A Brewer woman and her companion are facing charges after allegedly detouring to an ex’s house and making a ruckus.
On June 12, around 3:20 a.m. Deputy James Kennedy responded to a wanted out call in Bradley.
A homeowner was reporting that he woke to the sound of his ex-girlfriend yelling inside his house, accompanied by another man.
The owner told police that Sabrina Bubier, 38, of Brewer, at one point entered the house and became belligerent when she found out another person was inside. She reportedly threw a beer bottle at the homeowner, grabbed another bottle and began swinging it him, before he tried to pin her down. Bubier allegedly bit his thumb, drawing blood, and the man asked his companion to call authorities.
When the deputy arrived, he spoke with the homeowner, Bubier and her companion, who was identified as Aaron Root, 33, of Corinth. The deputy learned that the pair had come to Bradley after leaving a bar in Bangor. Kennedy determined that she had no legal reason to be at the residence and placed her and Root under arrest.
Bubier was charged with burglary and domestic assault, and Root was charged with criminal trespass. They were taken to Penobscot County Jail.

*Note: Either blogger or my computer is having issues uploading photos. Apologies.

Bangor Police arrest two for diner break-in

2011-06-21T14:43:00.000-04:00

(Michael Reis, photo courtesy of the Bangor Police Department)

BANGOR – Two young men are facing felony burglary charges for allegedly breaking into Nicky’s Cruising Diner on Union Street early Tuesday morning.

On June 21, around 2:27a.m., Officer Kevin Murphy responded to the report of an audible alarm coming from Nicky’s Crusin’ Diner located at 957 Union Street. As Murphy was checking the building, he noticed a broken window on one side, where someone had created steps out of cinderblocks leading to the window. While officers were waiting at the diner, a witness called and reported that they saw two people running away from the building towards Ohio Street after the alarm sounded.

Officer Kim Donnell was in the area and stopped two men who matched the given descriptions in the vicinity of the Cedar Woods Apartments. They were identified as Michael Allen Reis, 19, of New Sharon, and a 17-year-old juvenile from Bangor, who will not be identified due to his age.

The manager provided surveillance video to the investigating officers. With the video and other information obtained through the course of the investigation, Murphy had probable cause to arrest the two men for burglary.

Officers then converged on a Longrail Avenue residence and advised both males that they were under arrest. Reis reportedly became aggressive towards the officers and had to be physically restrained. Once he was placed inside a police car, he became more violent and kicked out both of the back windows of the car. Reis was further restrained, placed in another police car, and while being transported to the jail attempted to once again kick out one of the back windows of the second police car, causing damage to the frame.

Reis was ultimately transported to the Penobscot County Jail and was charged with class B felony burglary, class B aggravated criminal mischief, and refusal to submit to arrest.

The juvenile was charged with class c felony burglary and later transported to Mountain View Youth Development in Charleston.

Both police cars were placed out of service as a result of the windows broken out frame damage and the cost to repair both cars is approximately $1,000.

Elderly woman killed in Farmington

2011-06-21T10:12:00.000-04:00

FARMINGTON - Maine State Police and Farmington Police say an elderly woman has died after being assaulted inside her apartment early this morning in Farmington. Police are calling the death a homicide and a home invasion. The 81-year-old woman died about 7 a.m. at a Lewiston hospital, where she was flown by a Lifeflight helicopter from Franklin Memorial Hospital in Farmington.

Police say she was attacked at the Margaret Chase Smith Apartments on Fairbanks Road by a male intruder who entered her first floor apartment. She called 911 just after 1 a.m. to report the attack. An autopsy on her body will take place at the State Medical Examiner's Office in Augusta.

Police are seeking the public's help to report any suspicious activity along Fairbanks Road and Route 4 between midnight and 2 a.m. They are also seeking the identity of a man seen walking along Fairbanks Road about 1:30 a.m. wearing a backpack. The apartment complex is off of Route 4, in the north end of the town.

A dozen Maine State Police detectives have joined Farmington Police and the Franklin County Sheriff's Office investigating the death. Anyone with information is asked to call Farmington Police at 778-6311 or dial 911 on a cell phone.

The Maine Edge Criminal Mischief

2011-06-18T12:03:00.000-04:00

Here’s the rundown

OLD TOWN – A man went to jail after allegedly striking two people with his vehicle on Friday.
On June 10, around 6:35 p.m., police were called to a personal injury accident on Union Street. When officers arrived, they found a man lying in the road and a vehicle with a man and woman in it nearby.
The investigation revealed that the driver, identified as Frank Merrill, 26, of Bradley, had allegedly struck both the man in the road and Merrill’s own fiancée with his vehicle.
Merrill told police that after his fiancée had an argument with another woman about a cell phone, he was sitting in his car when the other man approached his vehicle holding objects in a threatening manner. He told police he put the car in reverse and then punched it into drive in an attempt to get past the man, but struck him on the driver’s side with the fender and also struck his fiancée.
His fiancée also told police she did not believe it was intentional. Both the man and the woman were transported to the hospital and later released.
After interviewing other witnesses and collecting evidence, police arrested Merrill and charged him with class B aggravated assault, domestic violence reckless conduct, reckless conduct, driving to endanger and possession of a usable amount of marijuana. He was taken to Penobscot County Jail.

Brewer Police arrest man for making bomb threats

Michael Baker, photo courtesy of Brewer Police

BREWER – A Brewer man is facing several charges, including two felony counts of terrorizing after allegedly making bomb threats to local businesses in Brewer.
On April 30, around 7 p.m. the Brewer Police Department responded to a bomb threat incident at a Wilson Street hotel. Due to the nature of the threats, which were made directly to hotel staff via telephone, the hotel was evacuated and a search was conducted. The investigating officers determined that no bomb was present. Additionally, officers on scene determined that a similar call had been placed to a nearby restaurant. The evacuation lasted for approximately one hour until it was determined the threat was not valid.
A potential suspect was identified early on in the investigation. After conducting interviews with witnesses and obtaining subpoenas for telephone records, detectives determined that Michael Baker, 35, of Brewer, had made the threatening calls. Baker was charged with two counts of class C terrorizing and two counts of class D false public alarm or report on June 8.

Don’t flee from State Troopers, even on an ATV

FRANKLIN – A Maine State Trooper chased down a man reportedly trying to flee on an ATV. The Trooper was on foot.
On June 10, Tpr. Greg Roy observed three ATVs operating in the roadway on Route 182 in Franklin near the intersection of the Cards Crossing Road. One of the ATVs separated from the others and fled into a gravel pit off Route 182. Roy lost contact with the ATV in the gravel pit. The trooper remained in the area for some time and eventually located an ATV in the gravel pit that was operating without headlights. Roy shined his flashlight on the driver and the ATV began to flee through the woods.
The trooper gave chase on foot, caught up to the ATV and removed the driver while the ATV was still in motion.
The driver, Nicholas Tracy, 22, of Franklin, was arrested for operating an ATV under the influence of intoxicating liquor. Tracy was transported to the Hancock County jail where an Intoxilyzer test was administered.

The law won

BREWER – An area teen reportedly attempted to flee from police when they discovered an active warrant. He didn’t make it far.
On June 13, around 11 a.m., Officer Amy Nickerson responded to a suspicious persons call on State Street where a caller reported three juveniles carrying a toolbox.
The officer located the three, who told Nickerson that they were walking to a pawn shop to sell a nail gun. Nickerson found the story of how the young people came into possession of the nail gun to be suspect. When she ran their names through dispatch, Nickerson learned that Dustin Badger, 19, no listed address, had an active warrant.
When the officer took hold of Badger to place him in custody, he broke from her grip and fled, jumping over a concrete retaining wall.
After a brief foot chase, Badger was tackled by Cpl. Nelson Feero and placed under arrest. He was taken to Penobscot County Jail on the warrant and additionally charged with resisting arrest or detention.

Things we love not: jerks stealing flowers

DEER ISLE – April showers may bring May flowers, but thieves might just take them.
On June 9, Tpr. Greg Mitchell received a theft complaint from an employee of the Blue Poppy Garden. The business had been hired to landscape a Deer Isle residence, but someone stole the $1,000 worth of flowers from the jobsite.

This won’t help your case

FRANKLIN – A Franklin man was taken to jail after the trooper noticed something suspicious in his pocket.
On June 10, Tpr. Tom Pickering conducted a traffic stop on Route 182 in Franklin of a vehicle being operated by Michael Church, 39, of Franklin. As Pickering was speaking with Church, he observed something bulging in Church’s pocket. After further questioning, Church removed a baggie of marijuana from his pocket and handed it to the trooper.
Church reportedly became increasingly agitated and uncooperative. According to police, Church grabbed Pickering’s wrist in an effort to grab the baggie of marijuana. Church then got out of the vehicle and reportedly began pulling baggies of marijuana out of his pocket and throwing them into the pickup and at one point shoved something into his mouth. Church was noncompliant and tried to flee from the scene.
After a brief struggle, Pickering subdued Church and took him into custody.
Church was charged with assault, possession of marijuana and refusing to submit to arrest.

It isn’t fun and games if you try to make someone lose an eye

LUBEC – Two young men are facing charges for allegedly shooting a young boy in the face with an air gun.
On June 10, Tpr. Staci Carpenter received a complaint from a woman from Lubec who told her that an 11-year-old boy had been shot in the face with an air gun. The boy was not seriously injured. There were also two other victims who refused to cooperate.
Carpenter summonsed Michael Lock, 18, and a 17-year-old youth, both of Lubec, for reckless conduct and illegal possession of liquor by a minor.

Police arrest Bangor man, charged him with murder

2011-06-16T14:08:00.001-04:00

BANGOR - Police have arrested a man in connection with the death that occurred on Fourth Street.

On June 14, The Bangor Police Department issued an arrest warrant for William L. Hall, 29, of 96 Fourth St. Bangor, Maine. The warrant charges intentional or knowing murder.

The warrant is the result of an investigation into a suspicious death which occurred at 96 Fourth St. on June 9, 2011, according to Sgt. Paul Edwards.

The post mortem examination on the victim revealed that he had sustained extensive injuries to his head, neck and upper chest area, as well as evidence consistent with manual strangulation. The examination and the results are still undergoing further evaluation by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner.

Hall was arrested on June 16 and taken to the Penobscot County Jail, where he was arraigned by video conference.

Police seek Dexter man

2011-06-03T17:14:00.000-04:00

ST. ALBANS - Dozens of police and game wardens are searching a remote wooded area in St. Albans looking for a Dexter man, who led police on several high speed chases this morning in Dexter and Pittsfield. Being sought is Henry Murdoch IV, 45, of Dexter who fled into woods along the Devil's Head Road. Murdoch is described as 5-foot 10-inches tall, weighs 135 pounds with a full beard and wearing a blue-green flannel shirt. He is being sought on bail violations and charges are also likely from the chases.

Members of the State Police tactical team, game wardens and Somerset County deputies have been searching for Murdoch since mid morning, after he lead a number of police agencies in a chase with his pickup truck that he abandoned along the dirt road.

Anyone encountering Murdoch is asked to call 911 or State Police in Augusta at 1-800-452-4664.

The Maine Edge Criminal Mischief

2011-06-03T11:42:00.000-04:00

Familiar faces in familiar places

OLD TOWN – When an officer recognized a wanted man, it ended up meaning jail for two people.
On May 26, around 8:06 a.m., Sgt. Scott Casey was on patrol on Main Street when he saw Matthew Marquis, 25, of Greenbush, near the Riverhouse. Casey knew Marquis had a warrant for arrest, and he confirmed that the warrant was active with dispatch. Casey stopped the vehicle Marquis was riding in and explained to him about the warrant. The officer also checked the identification of the driver, Michael Millet, 22, of Kaneohe, Hawaii, and learned that he was operating after habitual offender revocation.
Both were arrested and taken to Penobscot County Jail.

Not the ride you’re looking for

BANGOR – A man who was hitchhiking ended up finding a ride, but probably not the one he had hoped for.
On May 30, around 1:56 a.m., a Bangor police officer saw a man hitchhiking on Kenduskeag Avenue. The officer stopped to speak with him and identified the man as Lauren MacArther, 26, no address available, who told the officer he was waiting for a ride.
Dispatch informed the officer that MacArther was out on bail with conditions not to use or possess alcohol or be in possession of dangerous weapons. A knife was found on his person and police determined that MacArther had been drinking.
He was placed under arrest and taken to Penobscot County Jail.

Asleep on your feet

BANGOR – A Hodgton man was arrested after police allegedly found him to be under the influence of drugs.
On May 29, a Bangor Police Officers was patrolling on Forest Avenue, when a pedestrian alerted him a suspicious person leaning up against the wall of the Abraham Lincoln School.
The officer went to investigate and saw a man who appeared to be asleep while leaning up against the side of the building. He recognized him as Jesse Toner, 26, of Hodgton. The officer drove directly in front of Toner and got out of his cruiser and stood in front of him without waking the man. The officer was able to wake Toner by speaking with him and suspected he was under the influence of drugs.
The officer learned that Toner had bail conditions, which included not taking illegal drugs. The investigation revealed that Toner had allegedly injected Percocet pills. He was arrested for violation of his bail conditions and use/possession of illegal drugs.

Tough pill to swallow

OLD TOWN – An Old Town woman is facing charges for allegedly stealing drugs.
On May 26, around 7:16 p.m., Officer Ryan Fitch was called to the Y on Stillwater Avenue, where a woman reported that someone had stolen pills (Vicodin) from her purse.
As a result of the investigation, Ashley Caswell, 22, of Old Town, was charged with stealing drugs, a class C felony. She was taken to Penobscot County Jail.

The company you keep

OLD TOWN – An Old Town woman was arrested for allegedly violating her bail by being in contact with a person she was prohibited from seeing.
On May 26, Officer Brent Fournier arrested Mariah Godschalk, 32, of Old Town, for violating her conditions of release. Due to a previous incident, Godschalk was not to be in contact with another individual. Fournier had seen the two together while he was off duty, and a witness reported to police that the two had been spotted together on another occasion. She was placed under arrest and taken to Penobscot County Jail.

Still not welcome

OLD TOWN – When issued a criminal trespass warning, it is advisable to stay away from that address for the duration of the warning.
On May 27, around 5:34 p.m., Sgt. Travis Roy arrested Scott Niemic, 34, of Old Town, for allegedly violating a criminal trespass warning that had been issued less than 24 hours ago. Roy learned that Niemic was out on bail. He was arrested and taken to Penobscot County Jail, where he was charged with criminal trespass and violation of conditions of release.

Bail conditions: You should follow them

OLD TOWN – An Old Town man was arrested for reportedly violating his bail conditions.
Officer Brent Fournier was on patrol on Center Street on May 28 around 1:06 a.m. when he recognized Mark Nadeau, 36, of Old Town, and recalled that he was out on bail. Fournier confirmed the bail conditions, which included not consuming or possessing alcohol, and spoke with Nadeau. The officer detected the odor of alcohol and noted other signs of intoxication. Nadeau was placed under arrest and taken to Penobscot County Jail.

Police investigate shooting death in Farmington

2011-06-01T11:17:00.000-04:00

FARMINGTON - Maine State Police and Farmington Police are investigating the shooting death of a young man inside an apartment in Farmington late Tuesday night. Officials say they have charged a second man in connection with the shooting. A 23-year-old man from Cape Elizabeth was killed. An autopsy on his body is scheduled today at the State Medical Examiner's Office in Augusta. Charged with elevated aggravated assault is Ryan Ouimet, 23, of Coltsneck, NJ. Ouimet is being held at the Franklin County Jail in lieu of $10,000 bail.

The shooting took place inside the High Street apartment around 10:30 p.m. when the friends were inside the apartment when the handgun, owned by Ouimet, went off, police said. The man was rushed by ambulance to Franklin Memorial Hospital in Farmington where he died.

A team of State Police detectives joined Farmington Police overnight investigating the circumstances and that work will continue today. The gun will be taken to the State Police crime lab for testing.

Brewer police investigate assault

2011-05-31T16:32:00.000-04:00

(Composite sketch of suspect, courtesy of the Brewer Police Department)

BREWER - The Brewer Police Department is investigating an assault incident that occurred at the intersection of Abbot and South Main Streets in Brewer on Sunday, May 29, around 3 to 3:15 a.m.. A female pedestrian was accosted by a white man who was described as 5-foot 6-inches tall, thin and wearing a blue t-shirt and blue jean shorts. The suspect did not have facial hair or glasses.

A composite sketch of the suspect has been completed. Police are seeking assistance from the public in identifying this individual. Officers would like to speak with anyone who was in the area of Abbot and South Main Streets in Brewer during this time period that saw anything suspicious.

Anyone with information about this incident is urged to contact the Brewer Police Department at 989-7001.

Maine State Police Pipe and Drum Unit

2011-05-27T11:39:00.000-04:00

(From left, Detective Scott Gosselin, Trooper Kyle Willette, Trooper Trevor Snow, and Trooper William Plourde. The Maine State Police Pipe and Drum Unit performs at various functions around the state, including the 20th BLETP Graduation on May 13. Members also performed at the Law Enforcement Memorial in Augusta on May 12.)

By Katy England
edge staff writer
kengland@themaineedge.com

When you think of all the specialized units that come under the purview of the Maine State Police, musical talent may not be the first thing that leaps to mind. However, for the past 15 years, there has been a group of dedicated souls that make up the Maine State Police Pipe and Drum Unit. The ensemble consists of bagpipers and snare, tenor, and bass drummers.
The unit was formed back in 1996 by Scott Nichols, Jim Jones, Lance McCleish and Rick McAlister with the first performance being held in 1998. Nichols and Jones spent undertook the considerable challenge of learning how to play the bagpipes from scratch.
“I’ve always been a drummer, and I played in bands even when I wasn’t working as a trooper,” said McAlister in a phone interview. “I happened to be teaching a class, and there was a student from the New Hampshire in a pipe and drum unit who invited me down to the graduation. I saw them perform and decided we could put something together.”
McAlister said the group purchased all of their own equipment – which, when you consider that the instruments were between $600 to $800 and the kilt and accessories cost around $300 to $500, is no small investment – and began recruiting people to come and play.
The members of the Pipe and Drum Unit are spread all over the state, making rehearsal time a premium.
But the unit dedicates a lot of time to mastering a small repertoire of music, so when they do perform, they sound great.
And unlike other specializations, not all of the members of the unit are sworn troopers. But there is a tie to public safety, be it the director of Maine Emergency Services or the Maine Department of Environmental Protection.
Currently the unit is made up of Trooper Trevor Snow, Trooper Kyle Willette, Retired Lieutenant Gerard “Red” Therian, DEP/Senior Environmental Engineer Tim MacMillan, EMS Director Jay Bradshaw, Retired Sergeant Rick McAlister, Trooper William Plourde and Detective Scott Gosselin. There are a few newcomers who are also learning the ropes, but McAlister said it might be a little while before they’re ready for a live performance.
Finding musicians to dedicate the necessary time can be challenging, but that didn’t stop the two sworn troopers who currently play in the unit from picking up the bagpipes – from scratch. Bagpipes are notorious for being a difficult instrument to master, but Troopers Trevor Snow and Kyle Willette, like some of the founding members, met that challenge.
“When I worked at the academy, I was involved in some of the training classes. The pipe and drum unit has historically played for the graduating classes. The pipe and drum unit always interested me and I thought I’d like to learn to play the bagpipes,” said Snow in a phone interview. “I contacted Sgt. Nichols and Director Jay Bradshaw, who has functioned as Pipe Major, and he taught me how to play the bagpipes so I could join the unit.”
That makes it sound incredibly simple, but Snow noted it took him a year of dedicated practice before he played his first event with the Pipe and Drum Unit.
“If you’re starting from scratch it’s going to take a lot of work and a lot of practice,” said McAlister. “Maybe it’s just that thing that troopers have; for these guys to pick up an instrument – the bagpipes – and stay committed to it.
“I like it because it’s a unique representation for our agency. I’m able to represent the state police in a unique manner and it affords a nice opportunity to represent law enforcement as a whole,” said Snow.
The Pipe and Drum Unit performs at various functions across state and New England, including all of the Basic Law Enforcement graduations at the Maine Criminal Justice Academy since they combined the school 10 years ago. The unit also performs at memorial services, including the Law Enforcement Memorial that was held on May 19.

Area Wanted 05.25.2011

2011-05-26T14:20:00.000-04:00

The following people have active warrants with the Penobscot County Sheriff’s Office as of May 23, 2011. Please contact your local law enforcement agency if you have information about the current whereabouts of these individuals.

Lance Bradford

Age: 24

Charge: Failure to appear, 6 Warrants

Last known address: Hermon

Clover Vega

Age: 26

Charge: Failure to appear, 1 Warrant

Last known address: Bangor

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

Col. Robert Williams names command staff

2011-05-26T11:00:00.000-04:00

AUGUSTA – Colonel Robert Williams has selected the members of his central command staff for the State Police. Raymond Bessette will serve as the new deputy chief. The two majors will be Lt. Gary Wright, who will oversee the field troops and criminal investigation divisions, and Lt. Christopher Grotton, who will oversee everything else as head of support services.
Bessette is a 25-year State Police veteran who lives in Dedham and will serve as Lt. Colonel. For the past four years he has served as major in charge of support services, which includes the State Police crime lab, computer unit, the traffic division, the State Bureau of Identification, licensing and all the specialty response teams. He served as a lieutenant for six years, overseeing communications and special projects. As a trooper, he patrolled in Washington and Hancock counties as a member of Troop J. He also is a former commander of the State Police Dive Team.
Wright is a 23-year veteran who lives in Vassalboro. For the past six years, he has headed the Criminal Investigation Division in central Maine, investigating homicides and suspicious deaths. As a sergeant, he patrolled in Troop C (Skowhegan) and also served with the department’s internal affairs division. He is a former member of the State Police Tactical Team and also led the department’s Critical Incident Debriefing Team
Grotton is a 21-year veteran who lives in Glenburn. For the past nine years as a lieutenant, he has overseen the training and special services units and also the Traffic Safety Division. He is a graduate of the FBI National Academy and patrolled in Penobscot and Piscataquis counties as a trooper and sergeant for 12 years as a member of Troop E (Orono). Grotton also has served as the commander of the Incident Management Assistance Team (IMAT).

45 cadets graduate from MCJA

2011-05-26T07:49:00.000-04:00

20th Basic Law Enforcement Training Program graduation

By Katy England
edge staff writer
kengland@themaineedge.com

VASSALBORO – After 18 weeks of intense training, the 20th Basic Law Enforcement Training Program cadets graduated on May 13 at the Maine Criminal Justice Academy in Vassalboro.
45 cadets walked across the stage after having their badge pinned to their uniform, signifying the transition from cadet to law enforcement officer.
Director John Rogers took time to acknowledge the retirement of Sgt. Joe Poirier, but named the Professionalism Proficiency Award after him. He also dedicated one of the rooms at the academy the Frank E. “Joe” Poirier Room, with the quotation “Who protects us” inscribed upon it.

Class awards were issued to cadets who excelled in various fields. Officer Caleb McGary of the University of Maine Public Safety was named class valedictorian and issued the Academic Proficiency Award, Combined Practical Skills Proficiency Award, the Professionalism Proficiency Award and the Randall Parsons Iron-Man Award; Officer Bryan J. Parker of the Auburn Police Department and Troopers Kyle D. Pelletier and Samuel D. Quintana were tied for the Sid Bridges Firearms Proficiency Award; Officer Dennis Matthews of the Auburn Police Department received the Emergency Vehicle Operation Course Proficiency Award; Trooper Benjamin K. Sweeney of the Maine State Police received the Charles How IV Physical Fitness Award; and Trooper Jillian M. Monahan of the Maine State Police and Officer Bryan J. Parker of the Auburn Police Department shared the Mechanics of Arrest, Restraint and Control Proficiency Award.
The cadets stay at the Academy Monday through Friday, returning to their homes across the state on weekends for the duration of the training.

The graduates are listed below.

David L. Arsenault, Knox County Sheriff’s Office
Christopher R. Baez, Maine State Police
Matthew P. Bell, Biddeford Police Department
Reid C. Bond, Maine State Police
Tucker L. Bonnevie, Maine State Police
Kristie A. Bouchard, Brewer Police Department
Robert W. Carr, York County Sheriff’s Office
Brent A. Chasse, Maine Marine Patrol
David Coflesky, Maine State Police
Nicholas D. D’Angelo, Maine State Police
Wayne H. Drake, Farmington Police Department
Joshua R. Engroff, Baileyville Police Department
Duane K. Fay, York County Sheriff’s Office
Thomas P. Ferrier, Boothbay Harbor Police Department
Troy R. Francis, Penobscot Nation Warden Service
Ryan W. Freeman, Bangor Police Department
Scott R. Hendee, Biddeford Police Department
Christopher M. Kelley, Portland Police Department
Thomas W. Kwok, Maine State Police
Cody E. Laite, Camden Police Department
Ryan D. Lawson, Mount Desert Police Department
Michelle E. Legare, Fryeburg Police Department
Heath L. Mains, Saco Police Department
Paul M. Mason, Maine State Police
Dennis V. Matthews, Auburn Police Department
Kyle S. McDonald, MCJA Tuition Student
Caleb H. McGary, University of Maine Public Safety
Todd W. McGee, Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office
Jillian M. Monahan, Maine State Police
Matthew W. Moorhouse, Freeport Police Department
Eddie H. Murphy, Sanford Police Department
Benjamin J. Murtiff, Augusta Police Department
Todd D. Nyberg, Augusta Police Department
Bryan J. Parker, Auburn Police Department
Kyle D. Pelletier, Maine State Police
Brandon P. Perry, Windham Police Department
Jonathan D. Provisor, Auburn Police Department
Eric P. Quatrano, Windham Police Department
David L. Quinn, Penobscot County Sheriff’s Office
Samuel D. Quintana, Maine State Police
Christopher T. Schofield, South Portland Police Department
Andrew M. Simmons, Augusta Police Department
Jason T. St. John, Westbrook Police Department
Benjamin K. Sweeney, Maine State Police
Kyle M. Wells, Maine State Police

Police arrest Augusta man in robbery of credit union

2011-05-25T15:58:00.001-04:00

(Thaddeus Justice McDonald, Photo courtesy of Penobscot County Jail)

BANGOR - Police have arrested a man in connection with the robbery of the Penobscot County Credit Union.

On May 25, around 12:33 p.m., the Bangor Police Department received a call of a bank robbery at the Penobscot County Federal Credit Union at 1 Merchants Plaza.

A description was quickly given as an African American male, wearing jeans, sweatshirt and a hat. As units converged on the area to search for the suspect, a witness alerted police that they saw a man fitting the description get into a taxi cab at Pickering Square. Within a few minutes we learned that a Town Taxi was headed south on Interstate 95 with that person of interest. The taxi cab was stopped and a person detained, was interviewed at the Bangor Police Department.

As a result of the investigation, Thaddeus Justice McDonald, 32, of Augusta, was charged with class B robbery. He is currently being held at the Penobscot County Jail.

School of Hard Knocks

2011-05-22T11:18:00.000-04:00

VASSALBORO – Many college kids are heaving sighs of relief as they finish finals and head home. The same holds true for those who have recently entered the field of law enforcement and are wrapping up their 18 weeks at Maine Criminal Justice Academy (MCJA). They receive grades as well – it’s the tests that are slightly different.

Throughout the course of their stay at the MCJA, cadets are trained in various fields, from criminal and traffic law to alcohol enforcement and much, much more. One of the courses is the Mechanics of Arrest Control and Restrain (MARC), where they learn the basics of placing a subject under arrest (you can read more about this in the December issue “Hands-on Learning”). But in order to show that they have not only learned the maneuvers, but can apply them under duress, the cadets participate in scenario-based testing towards the end of the academy. The cadets are put under stress, and then have to “arrest” an instructor – who doesn’t make easy.
“It’s important for cadets to be prepared to begin working on the road,” said Sgt. Scott Hamilton, one of the lead MARC instructors at the academy. “[The scenario fights] build confidence and show them they can accomplish their goal of taking people to jail.”
With approximately 44 cadets, it can take awhile to go through the scenarios and the grading. MARC instructors from across the state, some who have been assisting with the MARC course, assist with the scenarios, which can leave lasting impressions. Helping out can mean scrapes, bruises and more.
“I do it to make the cadets better and give them a real-life experience,” said Marine Patrol Officer Rustin Ames. “We want to prevent them from getting killed on the road.”
The scenarios are designed to be difficult, but for good reason. Altercations on the road are intense and don’t follow the rules you’d see in boxing or even Mixed Martial Arts fights.
“The practical scenarios simulate an actual encounter on the road between a combative subject and an officer,” explained Hamilton. “It allows the cadet to hone their skills in a controlled setting.”

The Maine Edge Criminal Mischief

2011-05-21T16:34:00.000-04:00

OMG ATV OUI

ORRINGTON – An Orrington man wasn’t happy to learn that law enforcement frowns upon people driving ATVs under the influence.
On May 9, around 9:30 a.m., Sgt. John Carson served a criminal trespass notice to Nicholas Goulet, 30, of Orrington. Deputies noticed that he was visibly intoxicated and warned him not to drive his all terrain vehicle. Goulet became verbally abusive to the deputies and requested that they leave his property.
About 15 minutes later, deputies received a report that Goulet was driving his ATV. Carson returned and saw Goulet riding the ATV down the road and stopping near a neighboring residence. He activated his blue lights, parked near Goulet and ordered him to shut off the vehicle. Instead, Goulet allegedly backed up and then sped off towards the woods. Carson pursued him about 200 yards when Goulet made a turn causing both wheels to come off the ground; then he came to a stop, according to police.
As Carson approached, he saw Goulet stumble off the ATV. The deputy ordered him to place his hands on the cruiser, but Goulet began walking away. Carson took his arm and led him over to the cruiser. Goulet refused to perform field sobriety tests.
When Carson informed him he was under arrest, Goulet again attempted to walk away, according to police. He was placed in handcuffs and taken to Penobscot County Jail, where he refused an Intoxilyzer test. Goulet was charged with operating under the influence on an ATV and attempting to elude an officer on an ATV.

Two accidents + two towns = extra charges

BARING – An area woman is facing charges from two different police departments for leaving the scene of two separate accidents.
On May 11, Sgt. Alden Bustard and Tpr. Jason Fowler received a report of a vehicle that had struck a mailbox on Front Street in Baring and fled from the scene. The vehicle was located on Route 1 in Baring. Fowler arrested the operator, Jodie Braley, 43, for operating under the influence of drugs. Braley also had her 3-year-old daughter in the vehicle.
The investigation disclosed that Braley had also struck a vehicle in Calais earlier and had left that scene as well. Calais Police summoned Braley for leaving the scene of an accident. Tpr. Tim McCadden also assisted at the scene.

Ground wires stolen

BLUE HILL/SEDGEWICK/PENOBSCOT – Police are investigating the theft of ground wires from Bangor Hydro Electric Company.
On May 9, Tpr. Cliff Peterson received a report from a representative of Bangor Hydro-Electric Company that the grounding wires had been cut from over 50 utility poles in the greater Blue Hill, Sedgwick and Penobscot areas. An informational email was sent to area troopers and deputies. Anyone with information into these thefts is asked to call the Orono State Police Communications Center at 1-800-432-7381 and leave a message for Tpr. Peterson.

Objects not in mirror still have sirens

CARMEL – An Orrington man was arrested after a brief chase with a Penobscot County Deputy.
Deputy Garret McKee was running radar on the freshly repaved stretch of Route 2 in Carmel when he observed a vehicle traveling at a high rate of speed. Radar indicated that the vehicle was driving 95 miles per hour in a 50 mph zone, and accelerating. McKee pulled out behind the vehicle, which slowed considerably and came to a near stop before turning onto the Irish Road. McKee was now within 50 feet of the vehicle and assumed it was preparing to stop; instead, the vehicle rapidly accelerated. According to police, the driver began swerving violently left and right and continued driving at speeds in excess of 95 miles per hour.
The vehicle finally came to a stop near the Fuller Road. Scott Walker, 26, was arrested for criminal speed and eluding a police officer. He reportedly told the deputy that his mirrors hadn’t been adjusted properly and he didn’t realize he was being pursued by police. There was no word on whether or not he could hear the siren.

Suspicious person found to be wanted

CHERRYFIELD – Maine State Police arrested a Bangor man in Cherryfield who had reportedly escaped from the Dorthea Dix Hospital earlier in the week.
On May 14, Tpr. Miles Carpenter responded to Cherryfield for a report of a transient in the area. Upon arrival a 55-year-old man of Bangor was arrested on a warrant for having escaped the Dorthea Dix Hospital in Bangor which was issued on May 9. Tpr. Greg Mitchell assisted in transporting the man back to Dorthea Dix.

Camp Go-To-Jail

OLD TOWN/ORONO – When the police seize your alcohol and arrest your friend, it may be considered poor judgment if you try to steal more.
On May 12, around 10:48 p.m., Officer Jamie Slauenwhite of the Old Town Police Department saw vehicles parked in a lot near the ledges. He and Officer Ryan Fitch walked over to the vehicles, which were found to be empty.
Nearby, they found a campfire and a tent set up by the river, and observed marijuana pipes and alcohol around the campsite. Police identified Patrick Keogh, 20, of Orono; Hillary Reeder, 19, of Bangor; Drew Densmore, 19, of New Gloucester; and Hunter Richmond, 19, of Fort Collins, Colorado.
Keogh, who was out on bail, claimed responsibly for the drug paraphernalia and reportedly told officers he had a friend buy the alcohol. He was arrested for violation of conditions of release and also charged with sale and use of drug paraphernalia and furnishing liquor to minors. Officers confiscated the alcohol.
A few hours later, at 12:17 a.m. on May 13, Sgt. Scott Lajoie and Officer Stephen Marko of the Orono Police Department pulled into the Thriftway on Park Street in Orono. The manager came out, indicated a vehicle in the parking lot and informed the officers that one of the occupants had stolen alcohol. The vehicle in question reportedly drove around the back of the store, across a field into the parking lot of Washburn Apartments. They pulled out onto MacMillan drive and ended up in a cul de sac, where most of the occupants fled into the woods. When officers returned, they located Reeder hiding near the vehicle. The alcohol was still inside, as was some drug paraphernalia, including a pipe and grinder.
The manager identified Reeder as the one who stole the alcohol.
Officers in Old Town recognizing the vehicle advised about the possible identities of the occupants.
Police were able to located Densmore and Richmond, who were also arrested. All three were charged with refusing to submit to arrest or detention. Reeder was also charged with theft and sale and use of drug paraphernalia. Densmore was charged with sale and use of drug paraphernalia and attempting to purchase liquor by a minor. Richmond was charged with sale and use of drug paraphernalia and illegal transportation of liquor by a minor.

Police arrest three

HARRINGTON – Three people were arrested after a man spotted cars parked behind his father’s vacant house.
On May 9, Tpr. Christopher Smith responded to Mill Street in Harrington for a suspicious complaint after a man reported two vehicles parked behind his father’s vacant residence.
Smith arrived and found Lorissa McKenney, 41; Stuart Ray, 50; and Cassie Daris, 26, inside of the residence allegedly doing drugs in the home.
As a result of the investigation, McKenney was arrested for violation of bail and possession of Oxycodone. Ray was arrested for violation of bail, violation of probation and possession of Oxycodone. Daris was arrested for possession of Oxycodone.
Lt. Travis Willey and Sgt. Richard Rolfe of the Washington County Sheriff’s Department assisted with the incident.

ATVers tear up town field

STONINGTON – Police are investigating the vandalism of town property in Stonington where ATVers allegedly tore up a field.
On May 11, the Town of Stonington reported a vandalism case where a two-acre field had been torn up by all terrain vehicles.
The field is used as a legal dumping area for sewage and requires grass to allow for the dumping. The ATVs drove over the same circular area many times which removed most of the grass in the affected area. The site needs to be evaluated in order to see if it is still suitable as a dumping site. The case remains under investigation. Anyone with information should call the Hancock County Sheriff’s Office.

Selfless driveway stops drunk driver

BROOKSVILLE – A Brooksville man was arrested on OUI charges after a concerned resident called authorities when he thought someone was attempting to break into his garage.
On May 10, Tpr. Cliff Peterson and Tpr. Greg Roy responded to the Coastal Road in Brooksville. The report came in late in the evening and the elderly homeowner reported seeing a vehicle with its lights on outside his garage. He believed there was someone trying to break in.
Upon arrival, the troopers found Damon Black, 33, of Brooksville, stuck in the homeowner’s driveway. The tires had been spun in the dirt to the point where the rubber had been shredded on one of them and the truck was sitting on its rim.
Black was arrested for operating under the influence of alcohol.

Bangor Daily News reports someone in custody in missing child case

2011-05-18T14:02:00.001-04:00

UPDATE: The Bangor Daily News is reporting that the young boy has been identified.

The Bangor Daily News has reported that there is a woman in custody as a "person of interest" in connection with the young boy who was found dead in South Berwick. Read the full story and watch streaming news coverage here.

Bangor Police annual bike auction

2011-05-18T08:15:00.001-04:00

BANGOR - The annual Bangor Police Department Bike Auction will be held on Saturday, May 21st at the Parks and Recreation building, 647 Main Street in Bangor. The preview will begin at 8 a.m. and the auction will start at 9 a.m. and run until all the bikes are sold.

Young boy's body found in South Berwick

2011-05-15T08:44:00.001-04:00

SOUTH BERWICK – Maine State Police are investigating the discovery of a young boy's body along a remote road in South Berwick Saturday afternoon. Police are appealing for the public's assistance to help identify the boy. The fully clothed body was found along the Dennett Road by a local resident about 5 p.m., May 14.
An autopsy is scheduled for the afternoon ofMay 15 at the State Medical Examiner's Office in Augusta. Police are terming the death suspicious. Police in Maine and New Hampshire have had no missing person's reports filed for a young boy.
The boy is believed to be between 4- and 6-years-old with dirty blond hair and blue eyes. He was wearing a gray colored camouflage hooded sweatshirt (brand name "Faded Glory"), tan colored khaki pants, and "Lightning McQueen" black sneakers.
Anyone with information on the boy's identify is asked to call Maine State Police in Gray at 657-3030.

Thomaston man arrested for trafficking heroin

2011-05-11T20:49:00.000-04:00

THOMASTON – Maine Drug Enforcement Agents and police arrested two for trafficking heroin in Thomaston.
On May 10, Maine Drug Enforcement agents and officers with MDEA, the Rockland and Thomaston police departments, Knox Sheriff's Office and State Police served a search warrant at the home of Stephen and Katheen Darney, on Old County Road in Thomaston.
Police were acting on a months-long investigation into Stephen Darney, 42, selling large amounts of heroin in the area.
During the search agents seized about 280 bags of heroin, hypodermic needles, scales, packaging material, two hand guns and a shotgun.
Police said the heroin has a street value of about $6,200 and drug agents said he had purchased the heroin in southern New England.
Darney was arrested and charged with trafficking heroin and Possession of a firearm by a prohibited person. He is a convicted felon from a 1997 Assault with a deadly weapon conviction on a police officer in Massachusetts.
He was taken to the Knox County Jail and is being held on $2,500 cash bail. He will be in court this afternoon in Knox County. Kathleen Darney was summoned for possession of heroin.

Area Wanted 05.04.2011

2011-05-05T14:18:00.001-04:00

The following people have active warrants with the Penobscot County Sheriff’s Office as of May 3, 2011. Please contact your local law enforcement agency if you have information about the current whereabouts of these individuals.

Paul Cormier

Age: 34

Charge: Failure to appear, 1 Warrant

Last known address: Millinocket

Joshua Doucette

Age: 31

Charge: Failure to Appear, 5 Warrants

Last known address: Corinna

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

The Maine Edge Criminal Mischief

2011-05-05T12:23:00.000-04:00

Orrington standoff

ORRINGTON –On April 28, around 8 p.m., Penobscot County Sheriff’s deputies were called to a residence on the Johnson Mill Road for the report of an intoxicated man. Family members reportedly told police that Stephen Nason, 25, no listed permanent address, was intoxicated and being disruptive. They also noted that Nason had bail conditions that precluded him from drinking alcohol.
Sgt. Roy Peary and Dep. Chat Young responded to the residence and found that Nason had left prior to their arrival. They learned that he had damaged the property, allegedly breaking windows before he left. The officers searched the area but were unable to locate Nason.
Around 10 p.m., family members called back and reported that Nason had returned to the residence through the woods and assaulted family members inside. When police responded, Nason had barricaded himself in a back bedroom with a Taser, knives and a collapsible baton. He also allegedly made threats against law enforcement and his own life.
The Special Response Team was deployed, along with the Maine State Police’s Tactical Team and negotiations. Around 6 a.m. on April 29, Nason reportedly surrendered. He was taken to Eastern Maine Medical Center to be treated for self-inflicted wounds before he was arrested and charged with two counts of assault, creating a police standoff, violation of conditions of release and criminal mischief.

Not always man’s best friend

EXETER – An area man found himself on the business end of a Great Dane after he reportedly attempted to force his way into a woman’s house last week.
On April 26, around 8:20 p.m., Tprs. Jarod Stedman and Marc Poulin responded to Exeter after a report from a female, who told the troopers that a man had attempted to force his way into her residence. The unidentified man was meant by the woman’s Great Dane, who bit him several times. Troopers noted that there was a considerable amount of blood left at the scene and believed the man was injured. A check of area hospitals did not locate the subject.

How to get a summons ‘to go’

ORONO – Three young men were allegedly caught trying to take a bunch of old restaurant equipment “to go” from a closed restaurant.
On April 26, around 6:24 p.m., Sgt. Scott Lajoie noticed a vehicle parked behind the former Oronoka Restaurant on Route 2. The restaurant has been closed for years, and the owner has made it clear to police that no one has permission to be on the property. Lajoie requested backup from Officer Jason Zalva, and both approached the back of the building, where they could hear voices coming from the kitchen area.
Inside, they found Patrick Keogh, 19, of Orono, Aaron Ricardi, 19, of the University of Maine, and Zachary Bodkin, 18, of Redding, Conn. Police found that Bodkin had an old beer tap and a bottle opener from the bar. Officers also found items from the restaurant located near or inside the vehicle parked out back, including pots and pans and bar memorabilia.
All three were charged with criminal trespass, and Bodkin and Keogh were charged with theft. Police said the charges may become elevated after review by the district attorney.

Driver attempts to flee; is hospitalized

DEER ISLE – Fleeing from police when allegedly intoxicated can be a dangerous gambit.
On April 29, Tpr. Greg Roy attempted to stop a vehicle near the intersection of Route 15 and Route 15A in Deer Isle when the vehicle turned onto the King Road and began to accelerate. It traveled down the King Road at a high rate of speed for a short distance before the driver lost control and crashed in a wooded area.
The driver, Daniel Morey, 42, of Deer Isle was transported to Blue Hill Hospital where he was treated and later released.
Morey was arrested for operating under the influence, violation of conditions of release and eluding an officer.

Fake sticker trifecta

OLD TOWN - Three people are facing charges for displaying fake inspection stickers in three separate instances.
On April 29, around 9:58 a.m., Officer Lee Miller stopped a vehicle for having an inspection sticker that appeared to be the wrong shade of blue. When he spoke to the driver, Gary Neptune, 42, of Indian Island, he learned that Neptune had reportedly removed the sticker, cut out the “nine” section and placed it in the “three” section before placing it back on the windshield. He was summoned for displaying a fictitious inspection sticker.
Later that day, around 2:35, Miller stopped another car for a similar offense, but when he approached the car, the sticker that wasn’t quite the right color was gone completely.
When he asked the driver, Jessica Williams, 29, of Bradford, for the sticker, she initially handed him a green pack of gum. When he told her that wasn’t what he had seen in her windshield, she handed over an inspection sticker that had initially been yellow, but had been colored in blue. She was also summoned for displaying a fictitious inspection sticker.
On May 1, around 9:31 a.m., Miller stopped a car for another inspection sticker violation. He found that the sticker had expired in February, and additionally the vehicle identification number (VIN) did not match the vehicle that Danielle St. Peter, 26, of Old Town, was driving. Additionally, the license plates did not match the car, and the officer learned that her license was suspended. She was charged with displaying a fictitious inspection sticker, attaching false plates and operating after suspension.

Woman charged with OUI drugs

EAST MACHIAS – A woman is facing charges for allegedly driving under the influence of drugs.
On April 30, Tpr. Staci Carpenter responded to a report of a vehicle operating erratically on Route 1 in East Machias. The vehicle was located at Johnson’s Townline Auto. The driver, Alice Merritt, 43, of Edmunds, was arrested for operating under the influence of drugs.
Merritt was also charged with unlawful possession of scheduled drugs.
Tpr. Jason Fowler also assisted with a DRE evaluation of Merritt.

Junk truck hauling junk truck

ORRINGTON – A Bucksport man is facing multiple charges after using one junk vehicle to haul another junk vehicle.
On April 23 around 1 p.m., Chief Deputy Troy Morton was watching the East Bucksport Road due to a high rate of metal thefts. While stopped, he saw a truck with no front bumper, let alone a front license plate, and no inspection sticker to speak of. The truck was hauling a trailer with a junk truck along with other scrap metal in the back. Morton stopped the truck for the multiple defects.
The driver, Damian Spelas, 26, of Bucksport, reportedly told the deputy “you might as well put the cuffs on me,” according to police. Spelas’ license was under suspension, and he had no registration or insurance on the vehicle. He was cited for numerous traffic violations. The truck and scrap metal did belong to Spelas.

Wallet stolen from vehicle

BLUE HILL – Police are investigating a theft that occurred in Blue Hill over the weekend.
On April 30, Tpr. Tom Pickering received a theft complaint from a woman from Blue Hill who reported that her wallet had been taken from the console of her vehicle while it was parked at the Grange Hall in Blue Hill yesterday. The wallet contained approximately $240 in cash, credit cards and other miscellaneous items.
The woman told police that she had observed a woman hanging around outside the Grange Hall yesterday with a male subject who was operating a white van with a wooden rack on it. Anyone with information regarding this case is asked to call the Maine State Police at 1-800-432-7381 and leave a message for Tpr. Pickering.

Former employee harasses former employer

TREMONT – A Tremont resident was charged after reportedly harassing former employers.
On April 25, Tpr. Greg Roy received a harassment complaint from a woman Tremont who reported that a former employee, Jaslyn Westmoreland, 33, from Tremont, had been harassing her and other employees.
Westmoreland was summoned for disorderly conduct and was warned not to return to the store.

Chickens and fuel tanks stolen

SULLIVAN – Police are investigating odd thefts in Sullivan.
On April 25, Tpr. Jessica Shorey handled a theft complaint in Sullivan where fuel tanks and chickens were reported stolen from a property. Anyone with information is encouraged to call the Maine State Police at 866-2121.

Area Wanted 04.27.2011

2011-04-28T14:09:00.001-04:00

The following people have active warrants with the Penobscot County Sheriff’s Office as of April 25, 2011. Please contact your local law enforcement agency if you have information about the current whereabouts of these individuals.

CONFINED

Amber Henriksen

Age: 23

Charge: Failure to appear, 2 Warrants

Last known address: Corinth

Becky Cookson

Age: 36

Charge: Failure to appear, 1 Warrant

Last known address: Newport

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

The Maine Edge Criminal Mischief

2011-04-28T12:04:00.000-04:00

Old Town man charged with gross sexual assault

OLD TOWN - An Old Town man is still confined at Penobscot County Jail after being charged with class A gross sexual assault.
On April 21, around 1:59 p.m., officers were called to an address on Brunswick Street for a domestic disturbance. The victim said she had been assaulted by Shilo Hodge, 32, of Old Town, over the course of three days.
Police located Hodge and arrested him on charges of domestic assault and unlawful sexual contact, the district attorney has since elevated the charges to class A gross sexual assault.

Flimsy plates lead to two arrests

BREWER – Two brothers are facing felony drug trafficking charges after an alert Sheriff’s sergeant saw something suspicious about a vehicle at a convenience store where he had stopped.
On April 21, around 12:30 p.m., Sgt. William Birch stopped at the Big Apple on Wilson Street and Brewer and took note of a truck parked in the parking lot. He became suspicious when he saw that the license plates were attached with plastic ties.
Birch allowed the driver of the vehicle to enter the store before him and noted that the man smelled strongly of marijuana. He later stopped the vehicle and noted that the driver, Trevor Cameron, 26, of Brewer, had some marijuana on him. A search of the vehicle revealed a Ruger 380 automatic handgun and a backpack containing several large, sealed bags of processed marijuana. Trevor Cameron and his brother, Robert Cameron, 27, of Bangor, were both arrested and charged with class B aggravated trafficking of schedule Z drugs. The charge was elevated due to the presence of the handgun.

Beating the system

OLD TOWN – An Old Town man reportedly tried to beat the system by hyperventilating before his Intoxilyzer test. It didn’t work out so well.
On April 22, around 2:06 a.m., Officer Christine McAvoy was on patrol when she saw a vehicle turning onto Stillwater Avenue cross into the oncoming traffic lane. She began following the vehicle and saw it drift out of its lane again before pulling into the Tim Horton’s parking lot, park and shut off its lights. Moments later the lights came back on and the car pulled out of the parking lot. McAvoy observed further erratic operation and noted that the vehicle was traveling 10 miles under the posted speed limit. She stopped the vehicle near Pembroke Avenue.
McAvoy spoke with the driver, Richard Murphy, 28, of Old Town, who handed her his license and a credit card when asked for license, proof of insurance and registration. She handed back the credit card and had to request the other two items before he could produce them, according to police.
Murphy reportedly told the officer that he had just left work and was going straight home. When the officer asked how much he had to drink he reportedly said “Not enough,” and then said “not that much” when she repeated the question. He ignored her subsequent questions and glared at her as he started his car. Thinking he was getting ready to leave, she ordered him to shut off the car and take the keys out of the ignition; he complied.
Officer Jamie Slauenwhite arrived to assist and the officers had Murphy exit the vehicle for field sobriety tests. He did not perform to the officers’ satisfaction and was placed under arrest for operating under the influence.
He told the officers that he hadn’t had anything to drink that night and he wanted that noted.
While walking him into the police station for an Intoxilyzer test, McAvoy noticed that Murphy was exhaling deeply, and she asked if he was in need of medical help. He reportedly responded that he was trying to hyperventilate in order to “beat the system,” according to police. He explained that he thought if he exhaled rapidly it would lower the alcohol level in his system. Regardless of whether that was the case, his reported breath alcohol level was 0.22 percent, more than twice the legal limit.
He was taken to Penobscot County Jail and charged with operating under the influence.

Can you say ‘car accident’ with flowers?

LEVANT – An area man seemed intent of delivering some flowers even after crashing his vehicle during the rain and sleet storm last week.
On April 20, Tpr. Doug Franklin investigated a motor vehicle crash where the driver reportedly struck a tree and was seen leaving the scene carrying flowers during the rain and sleet storm that day.
As a result of the investigation, John Ryan, 21, of Corinna, was located and arrested on a probation violation. The hold was placed by his probation officer for driving without a license and failure to report an accident by the quickest means. The flowers were thought to be for Ryan’s girlfriend, but he went to jail before he could deliver them.

Police identify, still seek alleged shoplifter

(Bangor Police are seeking Jason Mulligan in connection with
an alleged shoplifting incident that happened in early March.
Photo courtesy of Bangor Police)

BANGOR – Police have identified, but are still seeking the whereabouts of a man who reportedly shoplifted from Target.
On March 9, Bangor police posted a picture from store surveillance video from Target Store through Facebook and other media outlets. Surveillance showed a man stealing several Blue Ray DVDs into his jacket and attempting to leave the store.
Police said that, due to tremendous response from the public, Officer Jamie Fanning applied for and received a warrant for the arrest of Jason C. Mulligan, 36, of Brewer, for theft and assault. Police noted that Mulligan has two active warrants out of Holden for theft.
Anyone with information as to the whereabouts of Mulligan is urged to call Officer Fanning at 947-7382 extension 95772. If you wish to leave an anonymous message on the Tip Line, use extension 6.

Man runs, doesn’t get far

BANGOR – A Bangor man was arrested on several outstanding warrants after he allegedly attempted to flee from police.
On April 24, at about 2 a.m., Officer Taylor Bagley was on routine patrol when he noticed a group of four people on State Street near Birch Street. He reported that three men and a female were involved, and that the woman was in between two of the men, one of whom was shirtless, and it looked as though a fight was imminent.
Bagley approached the group, and one of the men started to leave. The officer told the man to stop, but instead the man took off running. Bagley pursued him towards Hancock Street when the man tripped and fell down.
Bagley searched the suspect, identified as Donald McMahon, 18, of Bangor, and found a 6-inch knife concealed in his pants. He was placed under arrest and transported to the Penobscot County Jail, where he was charged with refusing to submit to arrest and carrying a concealed weapon. There were also three active warrants for McMahon’s arrest from 2006, 2007 and 2011.

Westbrook stabbing suspect update

2011-04-22T17:45:00.000-04:00

(Police are still seeking Tareek S. Hendricks, 30, of Worcester, Mass in
connection with a fatal stabbing in Westbrook.)

WESTBROOK - Maine State Police say the man they are looking for in connection with last night's fatal stabbing in Westbrook is Tareek S. Hendricks, 30, of Worcester, Mass. Maine State Police confirmed his identity late this afternoon (April 22) after conferring with Worcester, Mass. Police.

Hendricks has a lengthy criminal record. It is believed he traveled to Maine by bus. Police continue to seek Hendricks' whereabouts and ask for anyone who knows where he is to call the Maine State Police in Gray at 657-3030 or call 911.

Police investigating fatal stabbing in Westbrook

2011-04-22T15:41:00.001-04:00

(Police are seeking the identity of this man, known as BK.
Photo courtesy of Maine Public Safety)

WESTBROOK - Police are investigating a fatal stabbing that occurred in Westbrook on April 21.

A 40-year-old man was killed and 27-year-old woman wounded in the stabbing incident. The Maine State Police and Westbrook Police have released photos of the man wanted for questioning in connection with last night's stabbing death. The man is known by the street name "B K, " and is described as a black man, about 5-foot 8-inches tall and weighing about 200 pounds. He also has the word "LIFE" tattooed on his left fingers. It is believed he got a ride following the stabbing and was dropped off along Washington Ave. in Portland. Anyone with information on his identity and whereabouts is asked to call State Police in Gray at 657-3030 or 911 on a cell phone

The two photos are from the assailant's cell phone which was left behind in the apartment following the stabbing.

(Photo courtesy of Maine Public Safety)

The Maine Edge Criminal Mischief

2011-04-20T14:31:00.000-04:00

You can run, but you… Oh, you can’t run

BANGOR – Just after 12 midnight on April 18, Officer Tim Brown was observing traffic on Hammond Street when he noticed a car speeding past him. Brown pulled the vehicle over near Corporate Drive on Hammond Street.
As Brown was trying to identify the driver, who was unable to produce his license or provide any form of identification, Officer Taylor Bagley arrived to assist. The name the driver provided was not matching anything in the system, and one of the other occupants of the car was becoming agitated, according to police.
The officers identified everyone else in the car but still could not identify the driver. After several attempts to give the driver an opportunity to tell them his real name, they asked him to step out from his car. When he did, they told him that they believed he was lying possibly to cover up the fact that he had a warrant for his arrest. The man then took off running, but didn’t get very far, as he tripped and fell down shortly after making a break for it, according to police.
They were able to identify him as Michael A. Smith, 31, of Bangor, and determined he had two active warrants. He was also charged with refusal to submit to arrest or detention.

Three arrested in connection with attempted robbery

BANGOR – Three area residents have been arrested in connection with an attempted robbery that was reported in Bangor.
Just after 9 p.m. on April 17, Officer Brandon Vafiades was dispatched to the area of Blackstone and Jefferson Street to investigate a reported assault.
Officers learned that someone was following the alleged perpetrators in a vehicle. Officer Tim Shaw was able to locate it at the corner of Birch and Pearl Streets and stopped it.
Vafiades went to the Blackstone Street area and interviewed the victim, who told police that he had called a female friend and requested a ride to the store. When the friend arrived, she was accompanied by two men and a female driver. The victim stated that he got into the truck and traveled just a few blocks before the truck stopped to let out one of the men. As the victim got out of the truck to let him out, he said he was attacked by the men in the truck and that they attempted – unsuccessfully – to take property from his person. The truck then sped off. The victim in this case suffered some bumps and scratches but did not require medical treatment.
Matthew Gormely, 24, of Brewer, Jacob Hurd, 22, of Charleston and Connie Toothaker, 21, of Carmel were all arrested. Gormley was charged with class C felony, attempted robbery; Hurd was charged with class C felony, attempted robbery and violation of bail conditions; and Toothaker was charged with violation of bail conditions and operating after suspension. All were transported to Penobscot County Jail.

No, you can’t have your pot back

OLD TOWN – Oddly enough, police don’t often return drugs and related paraphernalia to civilians even when they don’t know who the rightful owner is.
On April 12, around 1:23 a.m., Officer Brent Fournier came across a vehicle stopped on the side of College Avenue and stopped to check on the occupants.
There were two young men in the vehicle, later identified as Gage Lebeuf and Blaine Morin, both 19 and students at the University of Maine. When they rolled down the window, the officer could smell the odor of burnt marijuana. Fournier asked if there were any more drugs in the car, and the pair claimed they smoked all they had, according to police. The officer had the pair exit the vehicle and searched the car, locating some loose marijuana on the floor as well as a backpack that contained drug paraphernalia including scales, a pipe (that was still warm, according to the report) and a marijuana grinder, among other things.
The two said the backpack, like the vehicle, belonged to a friend of theirs. Neither had been prescribed marijuana.
Fournier returned to his cruiser to write up the summonses when one of the young men approached and asked him if he planned to return the seized items until it could be determined who actually owned them. The officer assured the young man that he would not be giving the items back at this time.
Morin and Lebeauf were both charged with possession of a usable amount of marijuana and sale and use of drug paraphernalia. Police noted that they had been issued similar charges on March 23.

Crossing the line

OLD TOWN – A man running out for ice cream fixings ended up going home with a summons.
On April 15, around 1:29, Officer James Fearon was on patrol on Chester Street when he saw a car cross the center line into the oncoming travel lane. The officer turned around and was able to stop the vehicle on Main Street.
The driver, Scott Niemic, 32, of Old Town, told Fearon that he was running out to get ingredients to make ice cream sundaes. Niemic only had a Maine State ID card and the officer learned that his license was revoked in Massachusetts. Fearon issued a summons for operating without a license.

Washing your troubles away

OLD TOWN – On April 13, around 4:13 p.m., a concerned resident called police to say a vandal had removed a half full can of latex paint from a neighbor’s trash receptacle and dribbled a line of paint down the sidewalk. She was curious what the police were going to do to clean up the mess.
The officer confirmed that the paint was indeed latex-based, and since it was raining heavily at the time, pointed out that the rain would take care of it.

Man charged with felony assault in Camden

2011-04-16T20:50:00.000-04:00

CAMDEN – The Maine State Police arrested 68-year-old Charles "Reed" Black of Camden on April 15 and charged him with aggravated assault in connection with an incident on April 7 where he and his wife had fallen from Maiden Cliff.
Black was taken into custody as he was released from Eastern Maine Medical Center in Bangor where he had been treated for injuries since the incident at Maiden Cliff in Camden.
Reed was taken to the Penobscot County Jail in Bangor about 9:30 p.m. The charge follows a protection from abuse order filed April 14 by Reed's wife alleged that her husband hit her in the head with a rock and pushed her over the cliff.
On April 7, it was reported that the couple had fallen off the 800-foot sheer drop off. Black’s wife was able to flag down a passing motorist and Black was located several hundred feet down the sheer cliff by a Warden dog team and he was hospitalized with severe injuries.
State Police have worked with the Camden Police Department since in the investigation began after the April 7th incident.

Into the cold dark waters

2011-04-15T10:15:00.000-04:00

(A warden submerges in the frigid waters of Sebago Lake. Photo by Katy England)

Warden dive team trains for ice dive

By Katy England
edge staff writer
kengland@themaineedge.com

In a state that is locked in snow and ice for a good six months out of the year, patrolling the wilderness takes on new meaning. Especially when you consider that the Maine Warden Service dive team has to brave frigid waters in Maine year round.
The 10-person specialty team is composed of Cpl. Mike Joy (commander), Warden Bruce Loring (asst. commander), Warden Phil Richter, Warden Tony Gray, Warden Rick Stone, Warden Rick Ouellette, Sgt. Scott Thrasher, Sgt. Terry Hughes, Warden Robert Johansen and Warden Mike Pierre. There are three instructors and four dive masters.
“You need to have a knowledge of basic dive skills and the desire to be a part of the team,” said Loring. “We don’t dive alone; it’s definitely a team effort.”
He said that members should also have a willingness to learn more and further their dive skills.
Unfortunately, the dive team is usually activated not as part of search as rescue operation, but as a recovery effort in the event that someone has drowned or gone missing for a period of time in water.
In addition to recovery operations, the dive team also assists with other tasks, including inspecting state hatcheries and ensuring the intake pipes are clear and performing searches for endangered species in waterways.
The dive training is incredibly important, especially since the conditions for a dive can be extremely hostile. In addition to the cold, divers need to be aware of various concerns including air supply, depth and low visibility even in decent conditions.
“Safety is our number one concern. There are places we will not operate due to safety concerns,” said Loring.

(The Wardens' ice boat and travel over open water and ice and snow. Photo by Katy England)

In order to keep these skills strong, the wardens conduct an annual ice dive training. This past years was conducted out on Sebago Lake on March 21 through 23. During the training, one of the simulations they performed was a “rescue the rescuer” scenario. The idea is that one of the divers encountered a problem during the dive and another diver had to locate him and bring him back to the hole in the ice. Once under the water, visibility is limited and divers are instructed to use the angle of their rope as a guide.
“We’ve conducted a search by feel only,” said Loring. “That’s why I feel that this training is extremely important. You can’t go eight to 12 months and then put them in conditions like this and expect them to perform well.”

(Wardens also practiced entering open water and swimming under the ice pack. Photo by Katy England)

Warden Johansen has always had an interest in diving, since high school, but wasn’t able to join the dive team on the warden service until 2010 when he moved to Millinocket.
“I took a class, and that first breath of air you take when you’re under water I’ll never forget,” he said. “Being on this team is more than diving. Doing what we do is unique. It’s a challenge, but it’s fun too.”
Warden Richter has been a member of the team for 10 years and credits the fellowship on the team with getting through tough searches.
“We’re often involved in someone’s tragedy. The camaraderie helps get you through the tough times,” he said.
Throughout the training, another diver in full gear is standing by in case there is an actual problem with the simulation.

(A diver is removed from the cold waters. Photo by Katy England)

112 arrested on warrants in southern Maine

2011-04-13T15:43:00.000-04:00

Courtesy of Maine Public Safety

The Maine State Police, working with the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency and the U.S. Marshals Service, arrested 112 people in southern Maine during March, all on outstanding arrest warrants. In all, 183 charges were lodged against those arrested, including 44 felonies. The arrests took place in Oxford, Androscoggin, Cumberland and York counties on warrants generated from Maine and U.S. District courts.

Maine State Police assigned four troopers to the effort to locate the fugitives and additional troopers were utilized to make the arrests. A number of people had outstanding warrants for drug possession, firearms possession, as well as probation and bail violations. Troopers also recovered a stolen automobile and found a marijuana growing operation during the month long effort.

Lt. Louis Nyitray, Commanding Officer of Troop A in Alfred, said ignoring outstanding charges or sentences only worsens the legal problems for those charged. Many of the fugitives were arrested for failing to pay fines or failing to appear in court. They told troopers that they either did not have the money to pay fines or had no way to get to court on their scheduled dates, which resulted in warrants being issued.

"Communication with the court is critical when issues arise, and most times, alternative arrangements can be made, " Nyitray said.

"This type of arrest operation is about holding law violators accountable for their actions. The US Marshal Serivce and State Police take the responsibility seriously of bringing those skofflaws to justice to ensure the integrity of the judicial system," said Noel March, U.S. Marshall for Maine.

The following were among those arrested:

Francis Johnson, 26, of Biddeford was arrested at a motel in Saco on warrants for eluding a police officer and domestic violence terrorizing. Johnson was in possession of three replica firearms and twenty rounds of 9mm ammunition. Because he is a convicted felon with a violent history in Connecticut, the investigation has been turned over to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms where Johnson will be prosecuted in Federal Court. It is a federal crime to be in possession of ammunition if you are a convicted felon. Johnson was also with his wife at the time of his arrest which was a violation of his bail conditions from a previous arrest. Bail was set at over $10,000.

Christie Adams, 24, of Old Orchard Beach was arrested at her home in Old Orchard on a warrant for aggravated drug trafficking and probation violation. Bail was set at $10,000. Adams was also found hiding crack cocaine and prescription pills in her boot. Police also seized $800 from her. Her boyfriend, Zakira Yousef, 21, of Old Orchard Beach, was also arrested for hindering apprehension when he would not let officer’s into the home to arrest Adams, police said. His bail was set at $500.

Victor Sampson, 35, of Hollis was arrested at his home in Hollis on a fugitive from justice warrant as he was wanted out of Rockingham County, New Hampshire for heroin possession. No bail was allowed. Sampson was also wanted out of the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Department for operating under habitual offender status, operating under the influence, and failure to give correct name to law enforcement. Bail on these warrants were set at $1,195.

Joseph Denbow, 45, of South Paris, was arrested at his home in South Paris on numerous warrants for operating after habitual offender, domestic violence assault, terrorizing, and probation violation. No bail was allowed and Denbow has since been sentenced to serve four years in the Maine State Prison. He was found hiding in basement of residence, according to police.

Robert Johnson, 37, of Fryeburg, was arrested at a residence in Fryeburg. He was wanted for several months after he stopped reporting to his probation officer. Was wanted for probation violation for burglary and theft by receiving stolen firearms. No bail was allowed.

Matthew Nadeau, 27, of Old Orchard Beach, was arrested in Saco on warrants from the State Police and Portland Police Department for aggravated forgery, operating after suspension, criminal simulation, theft, and providing a false name to police. Bail was set at $1,790. Nadeau had been wanted by State Police for several months after being stopped on the Maine Turnpike and giving a false name and information to a trooper. He also was in possession of heroin at the time of his arrest. Nadeau later bailed himself out of jail and is now wanted again on new drug charges. Heather Smith, 26, of Exeter, was charged with possession of heroin.

Derek and Jason Berube, 23-year-old twin brothers of Hollis, were arrested at their home on burglary warrants from the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Department. Bail set at $560. for each brother.

Micheal Decelle, 27, of Porter, was arrested on warrants in Porter from the Biddeford Police Department for theft and theft by deception. Bail was set at $11,500. Decelle initially provided a false name to police and then fled from officers and was arrested and additionally charged with violation of bail, refusal to submit to arrest, and providing a false name to police.

While looking for a wanted individual at a motel in Saco, officers arrested a Jamison Snyder, 39, of Biddeford, and Kasandra Petebella, 29, of Saco,who were in possession of crack cocaine. Snyder was charged with class B aggravated drug trafficking and Petebella faced an additional charge of violation of bail from a previous arrest.

While looking for a wanted individual at home in Biddeford, police charged a James Craig, 64, of Biddeford, with felony drug trafficking in a school zone. Items at the house and large amount of marijuana indicated Craig was dealing marijuana close to an elementary school located nearby.

While looking for person in Arundel, troopers located a marijuana growing operation instead. Michael Binette, 37, of Arundel was summoned for cultivation of marijuana. Police seized 102 marijuana plants and growing equipment in the house. The wanted individual police were looking for no longer lived at the home.

Police located a stolen motor vehicle parked in a driveway in Brunswick while looking for another person. That vehicle was being used to transport drugs and was seized and returned to the rightful owner. Lacey Armstrong, 24, of Biddeford, was not at home but was arrested later in the month in Freeport on a warrant from the Saco Police Department for robbery.

Police investigate infant death

2011-04-13T11:30:00.001-04:00

Courtesy of Maine Public Safety

FRANKFORT - The Maine State Police are investigating the death of a 7-month-old baby who may have died as a result of an attack by the family dog in the Waldo County Town of Frankfort on April 12.

An autopsy on the body of the infant will take place today at the State Medical Examiner's Office in Augusta. The little girl was found dead in the living room of her home on the Town Hill Road after the child's mother called 911 saying the dog had attacked her daughter.

The child was home with her mother and a 2-year-old brother at the time of her death. The family's Rottweiler was also inside the house at the time. The dog was later shot to death by a Waldo County Deputy, at the request of the child's father and the local animal control officer who had responded to the scene.

A team of State Police detectives spent the night inside the house gathering evidence and conducting interviews.

Further examination will also be conducted on the dog.

*Editor's note: Maine Blues opted not to identify the family in this horrific event.

The Maine Edge Criminal Mischief

2011-04-13T08:24:00.000-04:00

Man on strange drug assaults woman in Howland

HOWLAND – A Howland man was arrested for a violent assault on a woman. Police say he was under the influence of mephedrone.
On April 8, Dep. Edward Toulouse was called to an apartment complex on the River Road in Howland. A woman had called authorities to report she had been assaulted by a man she didn’t know outside her apartment. She told police that she was on her porch talking to a friend when a man came up to her and struck her across the face with what turned out to be an ice fishing trap. According to police, she screamed, the man smiled at her and then hit her with it again. He then reportedly jumped on top of her and began punching her in the face.
At this point, other people began coming out of other apartments, distracting the man, who was later identified as Randy Delano, 21, of Howland, allowing the victim enough time to get up and run with her 8-year-old daughter into her apartment and lock the door.
Delano reportedly began beating on the door with the fishing trap as the victim called authorities.
As Toulouse arrived, the victim and her daughter were escaping out the back window of the apartment and ran toward him, visibly upset. She was able to tell the deputy what had happened and that she believed she’d heard someone call the man “Randy.” Toulouse told her to remain by the cruiser, but to flee up the road if she saw Delano coming her way.
Toulouse located Delano still banging on the front door. The deputy called out his first name and Delano turned around.
“He looked at me with the blankest stare I’d ever seen,” said Toulouse. The deputy said that the man advanced on him with the trap still in hand, ignoring orders to drop it. Toulouse sprayed the man with pepper spray, and though it appeared to affect him, Delano continued to advance, swinging the wooden trap. The deputy deployed pepper spray again, and Delano began to comply with orders to place his hands on a nearby car.
While being handcuffed, Delano reportedly swung at Toulouse and punched him in the face. The deputy struck the man and was able to take him to the ground. The landlord offered assistance and shortly thereafter Dep. Michael Knights arrived. They were able to secure Delano in handcuffs.
Deputies learned that Delano was on a substance known as mephedrone, a new type of drug that has effects similar to cocaine, Toulouse said.
Delano was charged with aggravated assault, assault on an officer, refusal to submit to arrest or detention and criminal mischief. He was taken to Penobscot County Jail.
Neither the victim nor Deputy Toulouse was seriously injured.
Karen Simone of The Northern New England Poison Center said that mephedrone is a substance that is included in what is being referred to as “bath salts” which can be procured legally in head shops or bought on the internet. The effects are said to be similar to cocaine and amphetamines, but with side effects. Simone said that taking large doses or taking the substance repeatedly can cause a subject to become psychotic.
“This is going to be a bigger problem than we’ve had to deal with up here,” said Simone. She urged anyone with questions or concerns about Mephedrone or other substances referred to as “bath salts” to call the Poison Center at 1-800-222-1222.

Alleged shoplifter becomes alleged drug smuggler and cop assaulter

(Melissa Lacasse, photo courtesy of Bangor Police)

BANGOR – An Old Town woman who was arrested for allegedly shoplifting is now facing more serious charges after she allegedly assaulted a Bangor Police officer.
On April 9, around 4 p.m., Officers Jamie Fanning and Kevin Haefele responded to Sears at the Bangor Mall to the report of a female in custody for shoplifting. When they arrived they were informed by security that the suspect, later identified as Melissa J. Lacasse, 29, of Old Town, left the store with a shopping cart full of various items valued at $863.80 without paying for them. All the merchandise was recovered.
Lacasse was questioned by officers, and when they decided it was time for her to go to jail she became argumentative, according to police. Both officers had to control her as she became physically combative. Lacasse reportedly spit on a security officer and assaulted Haefele during the scuffle. The officer did not require medical attention. Once the suspect was at the jail, she was found to have klonopin concealed on her person. She was ultimately charged with theft, assault, class C felony assault on a police officer, and class C felony trafficking in prison contraband.

Citizen stops drunk driver

KENDUSKEAG – A vigilant motorist stopped an erratic vehicle. The driver was subsequently arrested for operating under the influence.
On March 29, around 12:45 a.m., Tpr. Trevor Snow responded to Rte 15 in Kenduskeag for a report from a motorist that he had met a vehicle traveling the opposite direction in the wrong lane nearly striking the complainant head-on.
The caller followed the offender and stopped him by getting in front of the driver, who was later identified as Thayne Charters, 55, of Stetson. Charter’s vehicle struck the caller’s vehicle causing minor damage. However, he reported substantial damage to Charter’s vehicle as well as a deployed airbag.
Cater reportedly told the caller that “everything would be okay, honey,” and then left the scene.
Snow located Charter and his vehicle and placed him under arrest. A search for another scene was conducted, the damage to the offending vehicle was more than what was caused when the complainant stopped him, but no other scene was located.
Charter was charged with operating under the influence.

Happy ending

ADDISON – Authorities were able to reunite two missing juvenile girls with their families.
On March 28, Tpr. Christopher Smith responded to the Basin Road in Addison for a report of two missing juvenile girls who had not returned home from a run.
Smith coordinated search efforts from the residence of the girls and requested additional assistance.
Nearly eight hours after being reported missing, the girls were located with the assistance of Tpr. Jessica Shorey, Warden Scott Osgood and Forest Ranger Courtney Hammond. They were found approximately two miles from the residence. Police said that the girls became disoriented and were located on Crowley Island.
Police said dozens of citizens from the community also assisted with the search on land and water.

Drunken man displays eerie prescience

HANCOCK – An area man was arrested after he called police and became upset when he learned the trooper he wanted to speak with wasn’t on duty.
On April 4, Tpr. Greg Roy received two calls from Donald Tozier, 43, of Hancock who was asking for “Smith,” referring to Tpr. Chris Smith. Tozier appeared to be extremely intoxicated and became belligerent when he was told that Smith was not on duty. Tozier stated that people’s lives were in danger and became increasingly uncooperative when asked about his complaint. Roy responded to Tozier’s residence, where he found the man standing outside with a case of beer.
Tozier told the trooper that he was going to walk up and down the road until he got arrested for “disorderly.” Roy warned Tozier not to be walking in the roadway or he would be arrested for obstructing a public way. The trooper then left the area for a brief time. When Roy returned to the area, he again found Tozier walking in the roadway and drinking a beer.
Tozier was arrested for obstructing a public way.

Truck stolen and burned

MARSHFIELD – Police are investigating a vehicle theft where the thieves reportedly destroyed the pickup truck by burning it.
On April 9, Tpr. Jason Fowler investigated a report of a stolen motor vehicle in Marshfield. The owner reported that his gray, 2000 GMC pickup had been stolen some time during the night and that the keys had been left under the seat of the vehicle. The vehicle was later found on the Bear Brook Road off Route 192 in Wesley. The vehicle had been destroyed by fire. The investigation continues. Motorists are reminded not to leave their keys in their vehicles.

It’s all fun and games until you go to jail

STEUBEN – Police broke up an underage drinking party over the weekend and several people are facing related charges.
On April 9, Tpr. Christopher Smith received information about an underage drinking party located on Dyers Bay Road in Steuben. As a result Sgt. Timothy Varney, Tpr. David Barnard and Smith investigated the party and located minors consuming intoxicating beverages. Amber Pinkham, 30, was arrested for furnishing a place for minors to consume liquor. A 17-year old female juvenile and Jessica Delosa, 19, both of Cherryfield, were summoned for illegal possession of liquor by a minor.

Drug bust in Biddeford

2011-04-12T15:45:00.000-04:00

BIDDEFORD - Roy McKinney, Director of the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency, and Stephen Borst, Special Agent Supervisor of the MDEA’s York District Task Force Office serving York County, announce the arrest of Dawn Major, 44, of Biddeford.

The MDEA had been investigating reports of cocaine trafficking in Biddeford and Saco and identified Dawn Major as a possible source of the drug. During a surveillance operation the evening of April 11, Biddeford Police and MDEA Agents stopped a vehicle that Major was riding in. She had active bail conditions from a previous MDEA drug charge and she was found to be under the influence and in possession of a small amount of cocaine. Major was arrested for violating bail and a search of her yielded 1.8 grams of crack cocaine.

Following the arrest, Major complained of a medical issue and was taken to Southern Maine Medical Center for evaluation. There, hospital staff located a wallet inside her underwear that contained an additional 8.8 grams of powder cocaine. The combined street value of the cocaine seized was $1100. Major was treated and released from the hospital and transported to the York County Jail . She was charged with violation of bail and felony possession of cocaine. Other charges are likely as the case is reviewed.

If anyone has information on drug trafficking in Maine, they may call MDEA toll free at 1-800-452-6457 or leave a tip on the MDEA website.

Authorities seize thousands of dollars worth of pills in felony drug bust

2011-04-07T17:00:00.004-04:00

Courtesy of Maine Public Safety

VEAZIE – A four month criminal investigation by the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency (MDEA) and the Veazie Police Department has resulted in two arrests and the seizure of prescription drugs worth more than $14,000. The investigation into Jamie Boyd, 26, and Shawn Bryant, 27, both of Veazie, began following complaints the two were selling drugs.

Agents and Veazie Police conducted surveillance on several occasions and were able to follow the pair’s rental vehicle when it left Maine on Tuesday. The vehicle went to a location in Southern New England and was followed back to Penobscot County. Around 1 a.m. Wednesday morning, MDEA Agents requested that a state trooper stop the suspect vehicle, which was traveling north on Interstate 95 in Carmel.

MDEA Agents searched the vehicle finding 58 Methadone tablets and 203 Opana (Oxymorphone) tablets hidden on Jamie Boyd. Both Boyd and Bryant were in the vehicle and they were arrested and taken to the Penobscot County Jail. During processing at the jail, Boyd was found to have concealed an additional 120 tablets in a body cavity, which were ultimately seized as evidence. Forty (40) of those tablets are Oxycodone and the other eighty (80) are Oxymorphone.

A little after 2 a.m., MDEA Agents and Veazie Police executed a search warrant at the Boyd and Bryant residence at Greystone Trailer Park on State Street in Veazie. Among other evidence, agents seized a loaded 12-gauge shotgun, 135 Oxycodone tablets, 63 Percocet tablets and 2 Methadone tablets.

Boyd is charged with class B, trafficking in scheduled drugs, class C, importation of scheduled drugs and class C, trafficking in prison contraband. She remains at the Penobscot County Jail and her bail is set at $8,000 cash. Bryant is charged with class B, trafficking in scheduled drugs and class C, importation of scheduled drugs. His bail is set at $5,000 cash.

581 tablets were seized during the stop and police estimate the street value at approximately $14,085.

If convicted, both suspects face up to ten years in prison.

Veazie Police Chief Mark Leonard: “This is a significant event for Veazie and not the first time drug crimes have been uncovered at this location,” said Veazie Police Chief Mark Leonard. “We have a steadfast commitment to work closely with MDEA to pursue anyone who sells drugs in our community and the surrounding area.”

Anyone with information on drug crimes may call MDEA, toll free, at 1-800-452-6457 or may go to the MDEA website at www.maine.gov/dps/mdea

Area Wanted 04.06.2011

2011-04-07T13:00:00.002-04:00

The following people have active warrants with the Penobscot County Sheriff’s Office as of April 4, 2011. Please contact your local law enforcement agency if you have information about the current whereabouts of these individuals.

Michael Fessenden

Age: 28

Charge: Failure to appear, 1 Warrant

Last known address: Bangor

Lawrence Michaels

Age: 51

Charge: Failure to appear, 3 Warrants

Last known address: Hampden

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

Bangor Police investigate road rage incident

2011-04-07T10:54:00.002-04:00

BANGOR – Police are trying to get in touch with people who called in about a road rage incident that reportedly took place earlier this week.

On April 4, at about 7:30 a.m., Officer Steve Pelletier responded to a road rage call involving motorists that took place on the off ramp at Hogan Road from I-95 Northbound.

Four calls were received about the incident but only one witness was able to be identified for a statement. Bangor police are looking for the other people who called in or anyone else who witnessed this incident. The incident involved a 1996 Gold Mazda 626 and a 2004 Grey Pontiac Grand Prix.

If you have any information about this incident we would urge you to call Officer Steve Pelletier at 947-7382 extension 95763.

The Maine Edge Criminal Mischief

2011-04-06T20:55:00.000-04:00

Bangor convenience store robbed

BANGOR – Police are searching for a man who robbed a Big Apple Convenience Store early Monday morning.
On April 4, around 4:45 a.m., Bangor Police officers responded to the Big Apple Convenience Store at 146 State Street in Bangor to the report of a robbery that had just occurred.
The suspect is described as a Caucasian male, possibly of Hispanic or Middle Eastern heritage, with very dark eyebrows and hair. He is described as appearing to be in his late teens or early 20s, with black, scruffy, adolescent facial hair. At the time of the robbery, he was wearing a dark, puffy, hooded ski jacket with a dark gray hooded sweatshirt underneath that, dark pants and a black bandana with a white design on it that covered his face. He was also carrying a backpack that was dark in color with gray straps and white tubing.
The lone female employee noticed the man smoking a cigarette outside the store prior to him covering his face with the bandana and entering the store demanding money. The suspect displayed what appeared to be a firearm in a non-threatening manner.
Anyone with information as to the location of this suspect is urged to call authorities. Police say you should not approach him; instead, call your local authorities right away. Anyone with information as to his identity or whereabouts is urged to call the Bangor Police Department at 947-7382 and ask for Detective Dave Bushey; if you wish to remain anonymous, press 6 to leave a message on the Tip Line.

Man calls police to complain about snow banks

COOPER – No one enjoys the piles of snow that result from a storm, but there isn’t much the police can do about it.
On April 4, Tpr. Andy Foss spoke with a Cooper resident who was upset with a snowplow driver for creating such a large snow bank at the end of his driveway. Tpr. Foss advised the resident that Mother Nature was really in control of the quantity of snow. Tpr. Foss continues to look into some other aspects of the complaint.

Man causes nine-hour standoff with fake bomb

HOULTON – A Wisconsin man who told a bus driver that he was armed with an explosive device sparked a nine-hour stand off with police and government officials last Wednesday.
On March 30, around 8:46 p.m., The U.S. Border Patrol alerted the Houlton Police Department that there was a man on a Cyr bus making a bomb threat at a truck stop on Route 1. Border Patrol agents told Sgt. Frederick Parker that the man, who identified himself as Thomas Maccabee, 50, of Bronx, NY (though police note his last listed address was out of Wisconsin), had what appeared to be a detonator with three wires linking it to a bulge located under his jacket.
The bus had been traveling north from Bangor when Maccabee told the driver he wanted to go to the Canadian border without stopping at Houlton. The bus driver made the stop anyway. When letting passengers out, police said that Maccabee assaulted three women, punching one, kicking another and grabbing a third by the hair and reportedly pushing her off the bus.
Police secured the area, moving patrons of the truck stop to the back of the building and diverting traffic. In addition to Houlton Police and the Border Patrol, the Maine State Police, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and the Aroostook County Sheriff’s Office were on scene. The Maine State Police Tactical Team was also deployed.
During the nine-hour standoff, police used a remote-controlled robot to communicate with Maccabee, who eventually gave himself up. The device Maccabee was holding turned out to be a Wii controller, some intercom wire, duct tape and a spiral bound notebook.
He was charged with assault, aggravated reckless conduct and terrorizing.

Moving out? Don’t forget your pot plants

OLD TOWN – While a man was moving out, someone reportedly pointed out his marijuana plants to police.
On April 3, around 10:19 a.m., Officer Josh Loring was dispatched to a residence at Karen’s Circle to stand by as a woman requested that her ex-boyfriend leave the residence.
While the officer was at the residence, a closet was pointed out to him with light shining from beneath the door. With permission, Loring opened the door and found four potted marijuana plants under an indoor growing lamp. The closet was lined with reflective material and there were some marijuana seeds on the shelves.
The man, identified as Richard Sullivan, 41, of Old Town, was summoned for class E marijuana cultivation.

Should have bought them when he saw them

BREWER – A Brewer man had trouble convincing police that the bulges around his ankles weren’t the sneakers he had allegedly hidden in his pants.
On April 2, around 4:26 p.m., loss prevention at Marden’s alerted police to a possible shoplifter. Employees told Officer Jeff Gotreau that a man had stuffed a pair of Nike sneakers, valued at $79, down his pants. The officer watched the man, who was later identified as Adam Mitchell, 21, of Brewer, adjust his pants on camera and continue shopping. He and his companion went to the registers and paid for other items, but reportedly did not pay for the hidden sneakers before they left the store.
When confronted by police, Mitchell denied taking the sneakers. When asked about the bulges in his pants around his ankles, he claimed he didn’t have anything in his pants.
Cpl. Steve Boyd arrived to assist and secured Mitchell in handcuffs so the sneakers could be retrieved.
Mitchell was summoned for theft and issued a criminal trespass warning not to return to Marden’s.

The Maine Edge Criminal Mischief

2011-04-01T09:15:00.000-04:00

Police looking for damaged tractor trailer

HANCOCK – Maine State Police are looking for a tractor trailer that damaged a utility pole on Saturday, causing it to light on fire.
On March 26, Tpr. Greg Roy responded to a hit and run crash on Rt. 1 in Hancock in the area of the Point Rd. A witness reported hearing a loud noise at approximately 3:30 a.m. and then seeing a full size tractor trailer truck parked strangely in the intersection by the crash scene. The driver left the cab, checked his truck and then drove off without reporting it.
Roy is looking for a tractor trailer truck with a white 53-foot trailer with substantial damage to the driver’s side of the tractor and trailer. The tractor trailer truck struck a utility pole and lit on fire.
Anyone with information about the crash is asked to call the Maine State Police in Orono at 1-800-432-7381.

Collision hospitalizes two

(John Oakes, photo courtesy of Bangor Police Department)

BANGOR – Two men were hospitalized after a collision on Friday.
On March 25, around 11:30 p.m., Officer Joe Baillargeon responded to the intersection of I-395 westbound and Odlin Road to the report of a personal injury accident involving three cars. John Oakes, 21, of Old Town, was travelling west through the intersection on I-395 at the same time Vinton Whitcomb 22 of Belfast was travelling north through the intersection on Odlin Road. Both drivers, each claiming to having a green light, collided, sending Mr. Whitcomb’s vehicle into a third vehicle operated by Ryan Bagley, 34, of Bangor.
Oakes and his passenger, Jacob Himes, 21, of Stetson, both reported no injury, and the 2007 Chevrolet sedan they were in was estimated to have $5,000 in damage.
Whitcomb and his passenger, Sean Lynch, 22, of Bangor, were both transported by Bangor Fire Department paramedics to EMMC. Whitcomb remains at EMMC in good condition; Lynch was treated and released. The 1999 Volkswagen sedan they were in was estimated to have $7,000 in damage, and the airbag system was activated as a result of the collision.
Bagley reported no injury. His 2002 Saturn sedan received approximately $1,000 in damage.
As a result of the investigation, Oakes was arrested, charged with class C felony operating after suspension, transported to the Penobscot County Jail and later bailed. The felony charge was upgraded from the more common misdemeanor offense due to prior operating after suspension convictions.

If you’re sober and you know it, drive the car!

(Brianna Kone, photo courtesy of Bangor Police)

BANGOR – A Bucksport woman is facing charges from suspicion of operating under the influence after she reportedly struck a light pole and another vehicle at a night club – while driving a sober passenger.
On March 27, around 1:15 a.m., Officer Taylor Bagley reported that he witnessed a 1999 Dodge Intrepid leave the Ramada Inn Odlin Road parking lot, strike a curb and commit other violations before he pulled it over nearly in front of the hotel.
After performing field sobriety tests, Bagley transported the vehicle’s operator, Brianna Kone, 21, of Bucksport, to the Bangor Police Department and performed an Intoxilyzer test on her. It wasn’t until after placing her into custody that the officer was informed that the same car Kone was operating was involved in two minor property damage accidents while attempting to leave the Ramada Inn’s parking lot.
Kone’s 1999 Dodge sedan was estimated to have rear-end damage of $1,000 due to backing into a support post to an entry way at the hotel and then backing into a 2003 Chevrolet pickup truck. The damage to the building was estimated at $1,500; the pickup truck sustained an estimated $800 in damage.
Bagley reported that Kone’s passenger, being “completely sober,” was given permission to drive the car home instead of being towed. Kone was charged with operating under the influence and leaving the scene of a property damage accident.

Husson University criminal justice career day

BANGOR – Husson University is holding a criminal justice career day on April 6 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Richard Dyke Center for Family Business.
State, country, municipal and even federal agencies will be represented at the event. Anyone with an interest in a career in law enforcement or any aspect of criminal justice is encouraged to attend.
Agencies include Bangor Police, Maine Probation and Parole, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Hampden Police, Saco Police, International Customs Enforcement, Maine State Police, Rockland Police, Hancock County EMA, Maine Judicial Marshal Service, Old Town Police, Penobscot County Sheriff’s Office, Army ROTC, Mountain View Youth Development Center, Penobscot County and Jail, Penobscot County District Attorney’s Office, State Fire Marshal’s Office, University of Maine Public Safety, Orono Police, Veazie Police, Scarborough Police, Eliot Police, University of Southern Maine Police, Kennebec County Sheriff’s Office and Jail, Husson University MS in Criminal Justice Administration, Farmington Police, Madison Police, U.S. Attorney’s Office, Searsport Police, Volunteers of America, Charleston Correction Facility and Maine Emergency Management Agency.

Maine State Police investigate burglary in Corinna

CORINNA - The Maine State Police are looking for the public's help with the investigation into a burglary that occurred on the Corinna Center Road in Corinna.
The burglary occurred on March 22 between 6 a.m. and 12 noon at 473 Corinna Center Road. The front door to the residence was forced open, and several items were taken from inside. A vehicle had been driven into the driveway and spun on the front lawn as it backed towards the garage.
Police are also investigating a similar burglary that occurred in December, approximately a half mile from Box 473.
Anyone who might have seen anything is encouraged to call the Maine State Police at 1-800-432-7381 or 866-2121.

There wasn’t much damage to my car

OLD TOWN – A Dover-Foxcroft woman was charged after she allegedly left the scene of an accident at the Old Town Bowling Lanes.
On March 26, around 11:34 a.m., Office Debra Holmes was called to the parking lot of the Old Town Bowling Alley for a reported hit-and-run accident. A witness told police that he or she heard a “bang” and saw a car had struck a parked vehicle. The driver reportedly looked at the damage and then got back in her vehicle and drove off. The witness told police a little boy could be heard in the car, yelling that they had hit a car.
Holmes noted that the parked vehicle had been significantly damaged by the impact; the collision pushed the parked car up onto a guardrail. During the investigation, a witness was able to provide the name of the driver, identified as Crystal Pickering, 31, of Dover-Foxcroft.
Holmes contacted Pickering via phone and asked about the incident. Pickering claimed she hadn’t seen any damage and left. The officer requested she return to the scene of the collision. When she arrived, Holmes pointed out to Pickering that there was no way to miss the extensive damage. He summoned her for leaving the scene of a property damage accident. The damage to the parked car was estimated to be approximately $1,000, and the damage to Pickering’s vehicle was estimated to be approximately $200.

Two charged after allegedly accosting cab driver

(Cindy Landwehr, photo courtesy of Bangor Police Department)

BANGOR – A Holden couple is facing charges after allegedly assaulting a cab driver.
On March 26, at about 10 p.m., Officer Taylor Bagley responded to Raena’s Pub on Larkin Street to the report of an assault. Bagley took a statement from the victim, who stated that she was a local taxicab operator. She alleged that last year she was at Raena’s Pub when a vehicle operated by Cindy Landwehr, 45, of Holden, backed into her cab. After police involvement, Landwehr was arrested and charged with operating under the influence. The cab driver reported to the officer that about a month later she was approached by Landwehr, who verbally abused her.
On March 26, the same cab driver was at Raena’s Pub when Landwehr once again approached her and began yelling obscenities at her and, according to the victim, allegedly spat in her face through the open window of the cab. The victim stated that when she reached for her cell phone to call police, Landwehr’s male companion, later identified as Jeffery Landwehr, 48, of Holden, grabbed the phone from her hand and “tossed it to the back of the parking lot,” causing the battery to fall out. Mr. Landwehr also allegedly verbally abused the cab driver as both of them walked into the bar together. As a result of Bagley’s investigation, Cindy S. Landwehr was arrested and transported to the Penobscot County Jail and charged with assault and violation of bail. Jeffery Landwehr was summoned and released for obstructing the report of a crime.

The long arm catches up

JONESPORT – The law caught up with a man who reportedly left the scene of an accident back in February.
On March 27, Tpr. Christopher Smith summoned Alexander J. Batson, 18, for operating under the influence, operating without a license, leaving the scene of a property damage accident and failure to maintain control of motor vehicle.
The charges are a result of a motor vehicle crash on Route 187 in Jonesport on Feb. 19.

Missing woman found safe

2011-03-30T11:44:00.000-04:00

BANGOR – The Bangor Police Department is pleased to announce that Ann Jones, of Bangor has been located.

Bangor Police Detectives, along with the assistance of The Maine State Forest Service, The Maine State Police and Piscataquis County Sherriff’s Office, found Mrs. Jones walking on Cotton Brook Road near Greely’s Landing in Dover-Foxcroft at about 10 a.m. this morning. Forest Rangers Doug Huettner, Samuel Heffner, and Jonathan Hayes were searching that area this morning when they found her. She appears to be in good condition and no medical services were needed. Her vehicle was located near her and was stuck. It appears she probably spent the night in that area. She is now reunited with three of her daughters and arrangements are being made to get her and the vehicle back home to Bangor.

Several tips early this morning from concerned citizens who watched media coverage of this incident helped immensely to making this outcome a happy and safe one.

UPDATE: Missing woman found safe

2011-03-30T11:24:00.000-04:00

BANGOR - Sgt. Paul Edwards advised local media that Ann Jones has been found and appears to be in good condition. More details to follow.

Elderly woman missing from Bangor apartment

2011-03-29T14:01:00.000-04:00

BANGOR – Police are seeking the public’s assistance locating a missing elderly woman.

On March 29, the Bangor Police Department received a complaint that 71-year-old woman with memory issues is missing from her apartment at 321 Stillwater Avenue in Bangor.

Ann Jones was found not at home this morning at about 7 a.m. She was last checked on or seen at 11 p.m. on March 28. Mrs. Jones’ car, of which she did not have keys for, is also missing. Ann Jones is described as a Caucasian female, 4-foot,10-inches, 90 pounds, with dark hair and glasses.

Her missing car is a 1999 white, Subaru Legacy Station Wagon with Maine registration number 5781 IY.

Mrs. Jones likes to go to Lincolnville Beach in Camden and is from the Augusta Area.

Anyone with information as to her whereabouts is urged to call the Bangor Police Department at 947-7382 or call your local police department if you see her or the vehicle.

The Maine Edge Criminal Mischief

2011-03-24T11:03:00.001-04:00

Old Town man faces felony burglary charges

OLD TOWN – Police executed a search warrant and made an arrest in a recent string of burglaries.
On March 19 around 5 p.m., Old Town Police executed a search warrant on two apartments on Water Street. As a result, officers were able to recover items from several commercial and residential burglaries that had occurred in February and March. Brian Corvino, 22, of Old Town, was arrested and is facing several charges in connection with the burglaries.
On Feb. 1, Jason’s Pizza was burglarized, on Feb. 27, a residence was burglarized, and on March 7, Captain’s Joint was burglarized. Police are still tallying the value of the recovered property, but it’s well over $1,000.
Corvino was charged with class C felony burglary, class C felony theft, class C felony receiving stolen property and class D criminal mischief.

Man arrested for allegedly acting like a troglodyte

ORONO – A Houlton man is facing charges after he allegedly groped a woman in the parking lot outside a local bar.
On March 19, around 1:15 a.m., Orono Police were in the Pine Street parking lot behind the Bear Brew on an unrelated matter. Officer Dan Merrill heard yelling and saw a man get out of a white car and begin throwing punches into the crowd.
He grabbed the man and spoke to him. An investigation revealed that the unnamed man was upset because people outside were grabbing his girlfriend in an inappropriate manner. The investigation revealed that Joseph Lezotte, 22, of Houlton, had reportedly put his hand down the shirt of the man’s girlfriend.
He was summoned for assault and disorderly conduct. The other man was not charged.

Telemarketer threatens woman

HANCOCK – A telemarketer took his marketing strategy too far – threatening to kill the receiving party.
On March 18, Tpr. Greg Roy received a telephone harassment report from a Hancock woman who reported she received a call from a telemarketer and when she said she was not interested he threatened to kill her.
As a result of the investigation, it was determined the telemarketer is located in Mumbai, India and there is an ongoing investigation being led by the Federal Bureau of Investigation into similar incidents.
Any member of the public who has experienced similar events should contact the FBI.

All dressed up…

OLD TOWN – An Old Town man was dressed up for a bike ride, but didn’t have his bike. He did have the attention of police.
On March 19, around 1:10 a.m., Officer Ryan Fitch was monitoring foot traffic after officers had broken up a party, when he noticed a man wearing a bicycle helmet, black gloves and sporting a back pack but no bicycle. He spoke to the man, who was identified as Kaycee Stevens, 21, of Old Town, who said he had left the bike at his friend’s house.
Fitch recognized Stevens from a previous interaction, and he confirmed that he had active bail conditions not to use or possess drugs or alcohol. The officer noted red, glassy eyes and the odor of alcohol and asked Stevens how much he had consumed. Stevens reportedly replied, “What does it matter?”
A search revealed a small baggie of marijuana and a baggie that contained five small squares of blotter paper that field tested positive for LSD, along with a pill that was identified as Vyvanse (a schedule Z drug) that Stevens did not have a prescription for.
He was arrested and taken to Penobscot County Jail and charged with unlawful possession of a schedule Z drug, possession of a usable amount of marijuana and violation of conditions of release. Further charges are pending the results of official tests of the suspected LSD.

Helping people travel lighter

BANGOR – Police arrested two people in connection with the theft of items stolen from a man’s motel room.
On March 19, around 5:40 p.m., Officer Kevin MacLaren was asked to speak with a man in reference to some of his belongings being stolen from his motel room earlier that afternoon. Police learned that a man from Hesperus, Colorado was travelling on business, and while he was carrying armloads of his belongings from his second floor room to the parking lot he noticed that his room door was closed when he returned. He entered the room and noticed that all of his bags were still there but $200 was missing from his wallet. He was in a hurry to get going, so he didn’t bother to report the cash missing. When he arrived in Portland, he noticed his laptop computer and other belongings gone and felt he should report it.
MacLaren’s investigation led him to interview and summon Don Kaherl, 29, of Bangor, with class C felony receiving stolen property. Further investigation in the case led him to summon Kari Hersey, 26, of Bangor, for class B felony burglary.

Party’s over

OTIS – Police broke up an underage drinking party in Otis last week.
On March 18, Tpr. Greg Roy and Sgt. Alden Bustard responded to a noise complaint on the Point Rd in Otis. A neighbor was reporting a fight involving a large group of people in front of the residence. Several people fled once officers arrived.
There were several individuals under the age of 21 at the residence who had been drinking alcohol. Kurtis Mozelak, 19, of Otis, was arrested for furnishing a place for a minor to consume alcohol.
The Hancock County Sherriff’s Office also assisted.

Man arrested for violating protection order

VERONA – A state trooper who stopped a vehicle for the driver smoking with young children learned that the driver reportedly wasn’t supposed to have any contact with the children whatsoever.
On March 20, Tpr. Greg Roy conducted a traffic stop on Rt. 1 in Verona after observing a male smoking in the vehicle with three young children. As a result of the investigation, he learned that the children, all under the age of 5, were not properly secured in child safety seats. The driver, Terry Nason, 59, of Bangor, had an active protection from abuse order barring any contact with the children.
Nason was arrested for violation of a protection order. He was also issued traffic tickets for all three children being unsecured as well as driver being unsecured.
The children’s grandmother took them from the scene.

Is that wrong? Should I not have done that?

ORLAND – A Pemaquid man learned that police prefer that you display a real inspection sticker on your windshield – not pieces of colored plastic cut out to look like an inspection sticker.
On March 20, Tpr. Tom Pickering stopped a motor vehicle for displaying a fictitious inspection sticker on Rte. 1 in Orland.
The vehicle had a blue piece of plastic cut out in the shape of an inspection sticker on the lower left corner of the windshield. Carl Petersen, 35, of Pemaquid, was summoned for displaying a fictitious inspection sticker.

Couple goes to jail

SULLIVAN – A couple ended up in jail after an alleged altercation.
On March 17, Tpr. Greg Roy responded to a family fight on Taunton Dr. in Sullivan. A neighbor reported that he saw a man and woman in the driveway. At one point in the fight the woman fell over and the man allegedly spat on her and kicked her.
As a result of the investigation, Lionel Dellima was arrested for domestic violence assault. Deborah Dellima was arrested for operating under the influence by Roy as she was extremely intoxicated and had just arrived home.
Members of the Hancock County Sherriff’s Department assisted with the incident.

Jokes are funny. This isn’t.

PRINCETON – Police alerted the Department of Health and Human Services after investigating a disconcerting complaint from a woman in Lewiston.
On March 15, Tpr. Kimberly Sawyer received a complaint from a Lewiston woman that she was instant messaging on Face book with a 25-year-old male from Princeton. The Princeton man was saying very inappropriate things that he would like to do to a 2-year-old girl he babysits for.
Sawyer located his residence and was advised by the man’s parents that there is no 2-year-old girl there and that he does not babysit for a 2-year-old girl. Sawyer spoke with the man and he said he was joking. Sawyer contacted the Department of Health and Human Services regarding the incident.

Family dispute with gun shots

SURRY – Police investigated an ongoing dispute between a man and his son-in-law who allegedly shot off a gun at his residence in Surry.
On March 14, Tpr. Tom Pickering and Sgt. Alden Bustard responded to the North Bend Road in Surry to investigate a report of gunshots from a rental home at the property. Investigation revealed that there was an ongoing civil dispute between the property owner and his son-in-law.
It was reported that the son-in-law had fired three shots from the backside of his home after he had been arguing with the landlord and then left after loading his truck with his belongings. Pickering later stopped the son-in-law in Blue Hill where he said he was shooting at a squirrel on his shed. The son in law was warned to have no contact with the landlord and not to return to the property. Tpr. Greg Roy and the Hancock Sheriff’s Office assisted with the incident.
It was not known if any squirrels were injured as a result.

Maine State Police investigate burglary in Corinna

2011-03-23T16:21:00.000-04:00

CORINNA - The Maine State Police are looking for the public's help with the investigation into a burglary that occurred on the Corinna Center Road in Corinna.

The burglary occurred on March 22 between 6 a.m. and 12 noon at 473 Corinna Center Road. The front door to the residence was forced open, and several items were taken from inside the residence. A vehicle had been driven into the driveway, and spun on the front lawn of the residence as it backed towards the garage.

The State Police are also investigating a similar burglary that occurred back in December, approximately a half mile from Box 473.

Anyone who might have seen anything is encouraged to call the State Police at 1-800-432-7381 or 866-2121.

Brewer woman facing felony drug charges

2011-03-17T20:36:00.000-04:00

BREWER - A Brewer woman is facing felony drug charges after police acted on information indication drug activity in the residence.

On March 16, the Brewer Police Department’s Criminal Interdiction Unit and the Bangor Division of the Federal DEA Task Force executed a search warrant on the Maple Street residence of Jessica Vachon, 24, of Brewer.

Officer Liz Kelley received information reporting illegal drug activity occurring at this residence. Kelley, Officer Amy Nickerson, Detective Corporal Paul Gauvin, Corporal Steve Boyd, and DEA Task Force Agent Fred Luce pursued this lead and their subsequent investigation led to the issuance of a search warrant.

Approximately one half pound of cocaine was found in the residence along with related drug paraphernalia.

Vachon was arrested and charged with aggravated trafficking of schedule W drugs.

In 2010 the Brewer Police Department formed the Criminal Interdiction Unit which consists of ten Brewer officers who volunteered to join this team. Since December of 2010 the team collectively has investigated cases resulting in 74 drug charges, 48 other criminal charges, and 28 warrant arrests.

Training the trainers

2011-03-17T10:38:00.000-04:00

(Students practice various control techniques)

Eleven become certified MARCs instructors at MCJA

By Katy England
edge staff writer
kengland@themaineedge.com

VASSALBORO – Eleven law enforcement officers from around Maine became certified instructors in the mechanics of arrest control and restraint (MARC) at the Maine Criminal Justice Academy (MCJA). The people taking the course were from various agencies, including municipal police departments, the Maine State Police, The Maine Warden Service and State Judicial Martial Service. For an in-depth look at the MCJA's MARC course read Hands-on Learning.
In order to become certified as instructors, the students not only have to be proficient with the techniques and able to execute them well, they also need to be able to articulate how certain maneuvers are made and be able to explain it in various ways.

(Blocks for knife attacks)

“We go over the whole curriculum,” said Dep. Arthur Smith, co-lead instructor for the course. “We instruct it to them and have them instruct it to us to make sure they understand it and understand the concepts behind it.”
The class is four days, eight hours per day. Once they have completed the course, they are certified to instruct other people in MARC. Officers can take it back to their department to instruct other officers and hold refresher courses. But they can also assist in the instruction for the MARC course at the MCJA for new cadets going through the Basic Law Enforcement Training Program (BLETP).
“It’s crucial to have the most properly-trained instructors throughout the state to ensure proper training for new and senior officers,” said Smith.
The instructors are encouraged to return to the academy to assist with training the cadets during the BLETPs.
Andrew Weatherbee of Ellsworth Police Department and Eben Richardson, deputy marshal with the judicial branch, both have plans to assist with instruction at the academy in the future.
“This was my favorite part of the BLETP,” said Weatherbee. “I wanted to give back to the cadets.”

(The participants go over baton strikes)

Richardson studied at Tracy’s Karate with Sgt. Scott Hamilton, co-lead instructor for the course, back in 1998. When Hamilton began instructing at the academy, Richardson asked if he could help, but learned he needed to be law enforcement certified to do so. After taking the 100 hour law enforcement pre-service course and getting hired as deputy marshal, he was able to take the course. Richardson self-sponsored himself to take the course.

“I was able to fulfill a dream,” he said. “I was very fortunate to be accepted into such a program as a self sponsor. It was a dream that started 12 to 13 years ago.”

Law enforcement officers who completed the program are as follows:

Chad Allen, Sanford Police Department;
Justin Dolci, Brunswick Police Department;
Haley Fleming, Winslow Police Department;
Justin Fowlie, Maine Warden Service;
Donald Laflin, Scarborough Police Department and Cadre at the Maine Criminal Justice Academy;
Jededia Malcore, Maine State Police;
Eben Richardson, State Judicial Marshal Service;
Jason Scott, Maine Warden Service;
Steven Stubbs, Windham Police Department;
Andrew Weatherbee, Ellsworth Police Department; and
Timothy Williams, Skowhegan Police Department.

Maine State Trooper struck by tractor trailer while in cruiser escapes serious injury

2011-03-16T18:20:00.000-04:00

LIVERMORE FALLS - State Trooper Robert Cejka of Brunswick escaped serious injury this afternoon when his parked cruiser was struck from behind by a tractor trailer on Route 133 in Livermore Falls. The trooper was taken to Central Maine Medical Center in Lewiston with injuries described as minor. Cejka was pinned inside his cruiser for more than an hour before being freed. He had stopped to assist a motorist along the road when the crash took place. The 17-year-old motorist was standing outside her car and saw the truck lose control. She ran into nearby woods to escape the impending crash which drove the cruiser into Richard's vehicle.

Cejka was returning from canine training. His dog , Charlie, was in the back seat of the cruiser and was not seriously injured. The dog was taken to a veterinarian for a check up.

The empty logging truck was owned and operated by Edwin Tillson of Sidney, who was not injured. A team of troopers investigated the crash and no final decision has been made on any enforcement action against the truck driver.

Time to face the music

2011-03-16T10:26:00.000-04:00

BANGOR – A Bangor man opted to go to jail rather than turn his stereo down when asked by police.

On March 15, around 10:50 a.m., Officer John Robinson was called to the report of a loud noise complaint at a Cedar Street address. Robinson met with the complainant and stated her neighbor is playing his music much louder than reasonable in an effort to purposely annoy them. The officer reported that he could hear the stereo from the sidewalk and that the noise was coming from the back of the home and was unreasonably loud.

Robinson went to the back of the house and noticed a garage under construction and the stereo on the ground playing very loudly with no one around. Robinson eventually made contact with the property owner, Joseph Sharkey, 48 of Bangor, who was angered by his presence and claimed he was not going to turn the stereo down.

Sharkey then walked over to work on his garage and after several requests from the officer to turn down the stereo, he hollered more obscenities, directed at the neighbor, and would not comply. Robinson warned him several times that he could be summoned or arrested for not doing so. The officer then asked Sharkey to come to the police car to be ticketed and he refused, so Robinson walked over to the stereo and turned it down. Sharkey walked over and turned it back up while continuing to yell obscenities.

Officer Ed Mercier arrived to assist and between both officers’ pleas for him to just sign the ticket and they would leave, he refused. Sharkey was arrested and transported to the Penobscot County Jail charged with disorderly conduct and failing to sign a criminal summons.

Monster pot-hole causes problems on I-95

2011-03-11T16:59:00.002-05:00

AUGUSTA - State Police say a large pothole on Interstate 95 in Augusta this afternoon has caused significant traffic tie-ups.

The large pothole has forced the closure of the passing lane on I-95 southbound near Mile 109 in Augusta just north of the Exit 109B off-ramp. MaineDOT crews are currently patching the pothole that is approximately 15-feet long, 2-feet wide and 6- to 8- inches deep. Maine State Police are on scene directing traffic. Crews expect to have the lane reopened in time for the evening commute.
The trouble spot is in the southbound lanes near the Old Winthrop Road overpass in Augusta.

At least five vehicles have been damaged, including an SUV that overturned. Two others collided with each other, sending one person to the hospital with minor injuries. At least two other vehicles have sustained flat tires.

At 3:30 p.m. traffic was backed up about three miles in the southbound lanes.

Area Wanted 03.09.11

2011-03-11T11:01:00.000-05:00

The following people have active warrants with the Penobscot County Sheriff’s Office as of March 8, 2011. Please contact your local law enforcement agency if you have information about the current whereabouts of these individuals.

Nicholas Swoboda

Age: 32

Charge: Failure to appear, 3 Warrants

Last known address: Hermon

Sean Hanson

Age: 29

Charge: Failure to appear, 2 Warrants

Last known address: Bangor

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

The Maine Edge Criminal Mischief

2011-03-10T16:51:00.002-05:00

Expired stickers, active warrants

BREWER – Oddly enough, driving around in an unregistered, uninspected vehicle attracts the attention of police.
On March 6 around 4:47 p.m., Cpl. Nelson Feero stopped a vehicle on Wilson Street for having no inspection sticker and an expired registration.
He spoke with the woman driving, and initially she allegedly gave him a false name. He eventually identified her as Tiffany Jenkins, 28, of Levant, and learned she had two active warrants for arrest and her license was reportedly suspended. Her passenger, Christopher Jones, 27, of Levant, also had an active warrant.
Both were arrested on the warrants and taken to Penobscot County Jail. Jenkins was also charged with operating after suspension and operating an unregistered motor vehicle greater than 150 days.

Deeper trouble

ELLSWORTH – A driver who reportedly became stuck in a snow bank found himself in trouble for other reasons.
On March 3, while on routine patrol, Lt. Tim Cote observed a vehicle turning from Route 230 onto the Horse Farm Road strike a snow bank and become stuck. After speaking with the operator and further investigation, Ali D. Gray, 19, was arrested for violation of conditions of release and illegal possession of liquor by a minor.

No lights, no license

BREWER – An officer shed some light on a Massachusetts man’s license status after he was pulled over for allegedly driving without headlights on.
On March 5, around 9:20 p.m., Officer Eduardo Benjamin was on patrol on Wilson Street when he stopped a vehicle that was travelling without its headlights illuminated.
The driver, Christopher MacLeish, 24, no listed address, gave the officer a Massachusetts driver’s license. Benjamin learned that MacLeish’s license was revoked in Massachusetts and suspended in Maine. Additionally, he was wanted on two active warrants. He was placed under arrest and taken to Penobscot County Jail where he was also charged with operating without a license.

Sidewalk is not for cars

OLD TOWN – A Milford man is facing charges after he was reportedly seen driving on a sidewalk over the weekend.
On March 6, around 3:41 a.m., Sgt. Travis Roy advised Officer Christine McAvoy of a vehicle that was driving erratically, swerving and driving on the sidewalk.
She located the vehicle and stopped it on Center Street. She detected the odor of alcohol coming from the driver, later identified as Mark Nadeau, 36, of Milford. She administered field sobriety tests and he did not pass to the officer’s satisfaction.
McAvoy also learned that Nadeau’s license was suspended. He was arrested and taken back to the police station for an Intoxilyzer test, which revealed his breath alcohol level was at 0.20 percent.
He was escorted to Penobscot County Jail and charged with operating under the influence and operating after suspension.

Bangor Police seek to identify possible shoplifter

2011-03-09T11:16:00.001-05:00

BANGOR – Police are asking the public to assist in identifying possible theft suspects.

On March 6, around 3:50 p.m., Officer Jamie Fanning responded to Target Store on Longview Blvd. in Bangor where it was reported that a shoplifter had fled the scene. Officer Fanning spoke to the security officer and learned that a man had placed several Blue Ray and regular DVDs in his cart. As suspect continued to shop, he was videotaped taking the movies from the cart and placing them in his jacket and he then attempt to leave the store.

When the security officer approached the suspect he denied taking any movies and pushed the officer out of the way and fled in a green Jeep Cherokee, according to police.

The suspect is described as a male, approximately 5-feet, 5-inches tall, between 35 to 50 years old. He is also described as having several missing teeth and a few of those appeared to be rotting.

Anyone with information as to the identity of this suspect should call the Bangor Police Department at 947-7382 extension 95772, Officer Jamie Fanning. If you wish to remain anonymous, press 6 and leave a message on our Tip Line.

FBI assumes lead in bank robbery case

2011-03-08T08:21:00.000-05:00

BANGOR - During the investigation of the Bangor Savings Bank robbery by the Bangor Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, information was obtained that led to the arrest of Donald Turner, 39, of Bangor, on an arrest warrant charging a federal probation violation.
Turner has been on supervised release for two previous bank robberies. He has also been charged with a class B aggravated assault on Market Street which occurred on the evening of March 7. At this time, Turner has not been charged with the robbery at Bangor Savings Bank.
The Bangor Savings Bank investigation has been taken over by the FBI.

Bangor Savings Bank robbery

2011-03-05T20:50:00.000-05:00

BANGOR - Bangor Police are investigating a robbery that occurred Saturday afternoon.

On March 5, 2011 at approximately 2:18pm, a male described as 25-35-year-old, wearing a two-tone grey and black spring jacket and black ball cap, walked into the Bangor Savings Bank located at 652 Broadway. He handed a note to the teller which demanded money. An undisclosed amount of money was given to the suspect and he exited the bank.

Witnesses describe a red Jeep Liberty, probably a 2002 – 2004. If anyone recognizes the male and Jeep or has other information please call the Bangor Police Departments at 947-7384 (callers may remain anonymous using the Tip-Line at extension 6).

Police seek witnesses of fatal crash in Etna

2011-03-04T17:32:00.001-05:00

ETNA - State Police are looking for motorists who may have witnessed this week’s fatal crash in Etna that killed a Massachusetts woman on Interstate 95 during a snow storm. Trooper Trevor Snow said a young Massachusetts woman died at the scene when her car slammed into the rear of a truck parked along the breakdown lane.

The truck was from a local towing firm who had arrived to repair a tractor trailer which had broken down. Snow said several motorists stopped at the crash site, including a man driving a gray, older style Ford SUV with Maine license plates. That person was the first to stop but left the scene before troopers arrived. Snow said anyone who might have information about the crash is asked to call State Police in Orono at 866-2122.

The Maine Edge Criminal Mischief

2011-03-03T21:43:00.000-05:00

Alleged robber gets shot

BARING/BAILEYVILLE - A young couple from Calais is in jail following an alleged armed robbery in Baring over the weekend and a shooting in Baileyville early Monday morning in which one of the alleged robbers was wounded. Charged with armed robbery, burglary and aggravated reckless conduct are Michael Bailey and Amanda Fowler, both 27 and from Calais. The pair are being held at the Washington County Jail and are expected to make their first court appearances later today in Washington County Superior Court. Bailey was shot by a homeowner during an attempted robbery yesterday and was released from Eastern Maine Medical Center for a gunshot wound to his ear.

Police became involved in the investigation Feb. 27, when Trooper Jason Fowler was notified by Calais Police Sgt. Bob Fitzsimmons that he had six victims at the police station, which had reportedly been robbed the night before on Meadow Lane in Baring by a lone gunman.

Wintesses told police that at about 7:30 p.m. on Feb. 26, the four of them were at the residence when a masked gunman entered a mobile home with a gun and threatened to shoot them. Two other victims then came into the residence and were also held at gunpoint and robbed. The gunman, identified by several of the victims as Michael Bailey, 27, allegedly held the six victims at gunpoint for about 30 minutes, threatened to kill them, and fired one round before fleeing with an undisclosed amount of money.

Fowler was joined by State Police Sgt. Alden Bustard, the Calais and Baileyville Police Departments, and the US Border Patrol as they began searching for Bailey and his accomplice, identified as Amanda Fowler, 27.

At about 6 a.m. on Feb. 28, a shooting was reported at a house on the Houlton Road in Baileyville. The homeowner reported that at about 4 a.m. there had reportedly been an armed confrontation between him and a masked intruder with a gun.

Baileyville Police Chief Shawn Donahue and Officer Patrick McDonald responded to the scene, and were assisted by the Calais Police, Washington County Sheriff's Department, US Border Patrol, and State Police.

Within hours Trooper Timothy McCadden observed the suspect vehicle on Route 214 in Pembroke, and with help from Washington County Sheriff's Lt. Travis Willey the car was stopped and Bailey was taken into custody.

The car was being driven by Fowler, who was later questioned by police and charged. Bailey was suffering from a non-life threatening gunshot wound to his face and ear and was transported to the Calais Regional Hospital for treatment, and later transferred to the Bangor hospital. He was released last night and transported to jail.

The Baileyville Police Department and State Police continue to investigate this case.

Your opinion is not the only one that matters

OLD TOWN - A woman was charged with leaving the scene of a property damage accident after she reportedly damaged another car in the Hannaford parking lot.

On Feb. 25, around 7:03 p.m., Officer Ryan Fitch responded to the Hannaford parking lot to investigate the report of a collision where the driver had purportedly left the scene. A witness was able to give Fitch a description of the vehicle and he found it shortly thereafter. The owner, Susan Merritt, 48, of Old Town, told the officer that she hadn't thought there was any damage and left.

Merritt was summoned for leaving the scene of a property damage accident and cited for not having proof of insurance. Police estimate the damage to Merritt's car at around $500 and the other vehicle involved at $1,000.

Having a loud party? Check your bail conditions

OLD TOWN - An Old Town man's party came to an abrupt end after police discovered he had bail conditions and that he had allegedly been drinking.

On Feb. 25, around 11:49 p.m., police were called to a house on the Bennoch Road for the report of loud music and drums playing. As Officer Ryan Fitch was speaking with one of the residents, Caycee Stevens, 21, of Old Town, he noticed there was alcohol on his breath. He performed a records check on Stevens and learned that he had bail conditions that stated Stevens was not allowed to possess or consume alcohol and must submit to search of his person and residence.

When Fitch requested that Stevens allow officers to enter to search the residence, Stevens refused to unlock the door or call to have the partygoers open it either. Police contacted the land lord, who allowed officers inside the residence where they found several underage partygoers in attendance. Police also located some drug paraphernalia.

Stevens was charged with violation of conditions of release, furnishing a place for minors to possess or consume and sale and use of drug paraphernalia.

The underage drinkers were issued warnings and dispersed.

Lack of caffeine is not your only problem

OLD TOWN - Employees at Tim Horton's called authorities when they allegedly found one of their morning patrons passed out behind the wheel at the drive thru.

On Feb. 26, around 7:45, Officer Jamie Slauenwhite was called to the Tim Horton's on Stillwater Avenue to investigate a man who was reportedly passed out in his car at the drive thru. While Slauenwhite was route, the employee told dispatchers that the man regained consciousness, declined medical attention and then left the area.

Slauenwhite located the vehicle and stopped it in the Hannaford parking lot. While speaking with the driver, who was identified as Brendan Parsons, 21, of Nobleboro, he could detect the strong odor of alcohol coming from the vehicle.

The officer administered field sobriety tests and arrested Parsons on suspicion of operating under the influence. Slauenwhite located a baggie with pills inside that were determined to be ecstasy. He was taken back to the Old Town Police Department for an Intoxilyzer test, which showed his breath alcohol level to be 0.15 percent.

Officer Christine McAvoy located a glass pipe while conducting an inventory search of the vehicle.

Parsons was taken to Penobscot County Jail and charged with operating under the influence, possession of schedule W drugs and sale and use of drug paraphernalia.

'One way' to go to jail

ORONO - A Hallowell man was arrested after allegedly driving the wrong way down a one-way street.

Officer Derek Dinsmore was in the Pine Street parking lot on Feb. 25, around 1:30 a.m., when he saw a vehicle exit through the one-way entrance near Margarita's, then proceed the wrong way up Mill Street.

He stopped the vehicle and spoke with the driver, who was eventually identified as Lawrence Foster II, 21, of Hallowell, but Foster initially gave the officer a false name. Dinsmore noted signs of intoxication and administered field sobriety tests, which Foster did not pass to the officer's satisfaction.

While attempting to check his license, Dinsmore determined that Foster had not given him his correct name. Foster eventually gave his true name and the officer learned that his license was suspended.

Foster was placed under arrest and charged with operating under the influence and operating after suspension.

Maybe you should stick around

ORONO - Apparently leaving the scene of an accident is all the rage these days.

On Feb. 26, two different people in separate accidents allegedly left without reporting them to police. At 1:30 a.m., officers received the report of a vehicle that had rolled over, but no one was inside. Officers were not able to contact the registered owner until later that day. Police charged William Dunn, 28, of Old Town, with failure to report an accident by quickest means.

At 8:50 a.m., maintenance workers reported that someone had struck and knocked over a light pole at Orchard Trails. Police were able to determine which vehicle had struck the pole based on damage to that vehicle and pieces of molding that were found near the damaged pole.

Officers located Zach Pooler, 20, of Orono, and charged him with failure to report the accident by the quickest means.

Not so wanted

SULLIVAN - A Sullivan man wasn't as wanted as a caller indicated.

On Feb. 25, Tpr. Christopher Smith received an anonymous complaint claiming a man who was walking on Rt. 1 in Sullivan matched the description of someone wanted for murder on a recent episode of America's Most Wanted. Smith located the male walking and identified him as a local man from Sullivan.

The man was clear of wants and warrants but Smith reviewed the America's Most Wanted website. Smith did not locate any fugitives matching the man's description.

Bangor police arrest two in connection with snowmobile theft

2011-03-01T16:27:00.000-05:00

(Steven Cronk, photo courtesy of the Bangor Police Department)

BANGOR – Bangor police arrested two people in connection with a recent snowmobile theft.

On Feb. 26, at about 10:30 a.m., Officer Dennis Townsend was dispatched to a Bolling Drive address for the report of a stolen snowmobile. Townsend was told that the sled was parked on a bank of snow the night before and when the victim got up, he noticed the sled was gone and faint tire and footwear impressions that were snowed over were all that remained. Officer Townsend also received information that white Chevy S-10 pickup was suspiciously driving around the area prior to the theft. The snowmobile, a 2004 Yamaha Viper S, was then sent out to all agencies as a stolen vehicle.

Then on Feb. 28, around 7:00 a.m., Townsend received a call of a suspicious white truck parked on Dirigo Drive with two people sleeping inside. The officer spoke with both passengers, and he was assisted by Officer Jason Stuart.

After interviewing both suspects, Townsend arrested Steven Cronk, 26, of Hermon and a 17-year-old juvenile from Winterport in connection with the theft of the snowmobile. Both face Class C Felony theft charges, one count each. Two other agencies in the surrounding area, Hampden and East Millinocket, have also interviewed the pair in regards to missing snowmobiles and their investigation details are unknown at this time.

Cronk was taken to the Penobscot County jail and the juvenile was released to a guardian.

Police searching for man reported missing in Canada after locating his abandoned car

2011-02-26T12:31:00.001-05:00

ROQUE BLUFFS - Maine State Police have located an abandoned vehicle belonging to a man reported missing in Canada.

On Feb. 25, in the late afternoon the Maine State Police responded to a report of an abandoned motor vehicle in Roque Bluffs at the State Park. The vehicle was found to be a beige 1999 Chevy Lumina with New Brunswick plates belonging to Torray Wallace, 36, from Fredericton, New Brunswick.

The investigation revealed that Wallace had been reported missing to Royal Canadian Mounted Police on Wednesday, Feb. 23. Wallace is described as a being a black man with glasses, 6-feet tall, weighing 180 pounds and was last seen wearing blue jeans, a yellow hooded sweatshirt, a black jacket and brown work pants.

The Maine Warden Service, Maine Marine Patrol and US Coast Guard are searching the area where the vehicle was located in hopes to find Wallace. Anyone that may have knowledge of Wallace’s whereabouts are instructed to contact the Maine State Police in Orono at 866-2121.

MDEA arrests five on cocaine charges

2011-02-25T16:30:00.001-05:00

RUMFORD/MEXICO, Maine - The Maine Drug Enforcement Agency and Rumford Police today arrested five people indicted on cocaine charges this week by the Oxford County Grand Jury. Agents said that the five were part of a cocaine distribution ring responsible for up to $250,000 worth of cocaine sold in the Rumford-Mexico area in the past year.

MDEA Agent Tony Milligan said the investigation began in January, 2010 as undercover agents and informants were utilized to conduct surveillances, make recorded calls, and purchase cocaine from the group. Milligan said the ring leader, Timothy Clark, 40, of Mexico, was making several trips a week to Massachusetts to pick up quarter-pound quantities of cocaine and then distributing the contraband to local drug dealers. MDEA intercepted one of those shipments on December 4, 2010 from Clark just before it was to be distributed.

The following were arrested:

Timothy Clark, 40 of Mexico, was charged with two counts of aggravated trafficking in cocaine in a school zone, conspiracy to traffic in cocaine and illegal importation of cocaine;

Kevin Pettegrow, 29, of 25 Hartford Street in Rumford, charged with aggravated trafficking in cocaine in a school zone;

Kaine Adam Hodgkins, 22, of Roxbury, was charged with Attempted Trafficking in Cocaine and Violation of Conditions of Release;

Uniah H. Leidy, 30, of Rumford, was charged with aggravated trafficking in cocaine;

Dale A. Korhonen, 42, of Jay, was charged with three counts of aggravated trafficking in cocaine in a school zone, four counts of violation of conditions of release, possession of a concealed weapon, unlawful possession of cocaine, conspiracy to traffic in cocaine and tampering with a witness.

The five were arrested at their homes on Feb. 24 without incident and taken to the Oxford County Jail . Other arrests are also expected.

Area Wanted 02.23.2011

2011-02-24T16:53:00.000-05:00

The following people have active warrants with the Penobscot County Sheriff’s Office as of February 22, 2011. Please contact your local law enforcement agency if you have information about the current whereabouts of these individuals.

Kenneth Emery

Age: 31

Charge: Failure to appear, 2 Warrants

Last known address: Pittsfield

Stephen Nason

Age: 25

Charge: Failure to Appear, 4 Warrants

Last known address: Carmel

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

The Maine Edge Criminal Mischief

2011-02-24T10:22:00.001-05:00

Calais man arrested for assault

(Charles Kroll, photo courtesy of Bangor Police)

BANGOR – A Calais man was arrested for allegedly assaulting a woman on Front Street by throwing a snowball at her and spitting in her face.
On Feb. 19, around 1:15 a.m., Officers Kevin Murphy and John Robinson were patrolling on Front Street when they heard people arguing outside. The officers saw two men who appeared as though they were going to start physically fighting. The officers waded through a large crowd of people asking if there was an actual fight going on or if people were joking. At that point, a woman approached the officers and pointed out two men walking away; she said that one of them hit her in the face with a snowball and ripped out her earring.
The officers caught up with the two men and asked them for identification and what happened. One of the men became agitated and demanded his identification back from the officer while the other man was briefly interviewed. Robinson then went back to further interview the victim.
She told police that she and her friends were driving past the Sea Dog when one of the men threw a snowball into the side of her car. When she got out to confront the men, they began calling her names, threw another snowball in her face, and one of the men pulled her by the hair and spit in her face.
The man was identified as Charles Kroll, 25, of Calais, and was given a criminal summons for assault. However, he refused to sign the summons, and despite several warnings he was placed under arrest and taken to Penobscot County Jail. He was also charged with refusing to sign a criminal summons.

A little early to start ruining your rep

OLD TOWN – An Old Town woman went to jail for operating under the influence after her vehicle was stopped for alleged erratic operation.
On Feb. 19, around 1:40 a.m., Officers Lee Miller and Brandon Gastia were on patrol on Stillwater Avenue when they reportedly saw a vehicle driving erratically. The officers followed it onto Spring Street and then the Bennoch Road where they observed more erratic operation, including swerving and speed fluctuations.
The vehicle was stopped on the Bennoch Road near the University Farm. The driver, later identified as Molly Mills, 18, of Old Town, denied drinking. Officers observed signs of intoxication and administered field sobriety tests, which she did not pass to the officers’ satisfaction. She was placed under arrest and taken back to the police station for an Intoxilyzer test, which showed her breath alcohol level to be 0.15 percent.
Mills was taken to Penobscot County Jail and charged with operating under the influence.

Bad medicine

(Robert Commeau, photo courtesy of Bangor Police)

BANGOR – A Brewer man was arrested for allegedly assaulting a doctor in the emergency room last week.
On Feb. 15, around 8:15 p.m., Detective James Carr was working a hired shift in the emergency room at Eastern Maine Medical Center when he was asked to assist with an unruly patient in one of the exam rooms.
Carr spoke with a doctor who was tending to Robert Commeau, 55, of Brewer. The doctor told Carr that Commeau was unruly and combative and tried to wrap the doctor’s stethoscope around his neck when he tried to use it.
Security personnel were in the room with Commeau, who was becoming more and more agitated, according to police. At one point, Commeau reportedly stood in a defensive posture and then shoved a security guard out of the way. He was then arrested and transported to the Penobscot County Jail, where he was charged with assault on emergency medical care provider, a class C felony, and assault.

Going for a record?

OLD TOWN – A Brewer man has been driving without a license for approximately 25 years, according to police.
Christopher Anderson, 46, of Brewer, was stopped for an expired inspection sticker on Feb. 19 around 3:28 p.m. by Officer Christine McAvoy. When she asked for his license, Anderson admitted he didn’t have one. He told the officer he had moved to Maine in 1999. A records check indicated that the last time Anderson had a license was in 1986 in Oklahoma.
Anderson was summoned for operating without a license.

Classy

ORONO – A woman pressed charges against a man who had allegedly poured his drink on her.
On Feb. 18, around 12:20 a.m., police were called to the Bear Brew, where a woman claimed she had been assaulted by a man who had reportedly thrown a drink on her. Police located Alexander Speirs, 21, of Orono, and charged him with assault.

Teen charged with manslaughter in shooting death

2011-02-23T16:52:00.000-05:00

KNOX - State Police arrested a teenager and charged him in connection with the shooting death of his friend on Feb. 19 in the town of Knox. Luke Bryant, 19, was taken into custody at a house he was visiting in Belfast shortly before 4 p.m. Bryant is charged with manslaughter and was taken to the Waldo County Jail in Belfast. He is expected to make his first appearance in Waldo Superior Court later in the week, unless he is freed on bail, which has yet to be set.

Bryant was holding a shotgun that went off inside his apartment on Dolloff Road Saturday night. The blast struck and killed the 19-year-old Brewer man. The State Medical Examiner's Office conducted an autopsy Monday and said the cause of death was a gunshot wound to the neck and the death was classified as a homicide.

State Police detectives have been investigating the death since Saturday night and consulted with the Attorney General's Office , who authorized the manslaughter charge earlier in the day.

Police investigate shooting death

2011-02-20T20:27:00.000-05:00

KNOX - State Police are investigating the shooting death of a teenager who was shot and killed inside a home in the Waldo County Town of Knox Saturday night. A 19-year-old Bangor man was shot while visiting a friend on the Dolloff Road, shortly before 7 p.m.
A team of six State Police detectives were assisted by Waldo County Sheriff's Deputies at the scene Saturday night. The gun apparently discharged while in the hands of a friend and the young man died moments later.
An autopsy is scheduled Monday at the State Medical Examiner's Office in Augusta. No one has been charged and the name of the friend is not being released at this time as detectives continue to investigate the circumstances.
Maine Blues does not publish victim names unless it serves an overwhelming public need.

Area Wanted 02.16.2010

2011-02-17T15:00:00.000-05:00

The following people have active warrants with the Penobscot County Sheriff’s Office as of February 15, 2011. Please contact your local law enforcement agency if you have information about the current whereabouts of these individuals.

Matthew Midgette

Age: 30

Charge: Failure to appear,3 Warrants

Last known address:Unknown

Lawrence Michaels

Age: 51

Charge: Failure to Appear, 2 Warrants

Last known address:Unknown

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

Car stolen in Bangor recovered in Tennessee

2011-02-16T15:30:00.002-05:00

BANGOR – Police recovered a car that was stolen earlier this month down in Tennessee.

On Feb. 16, around 5 a.m., the Bangor Police Department received a call from the Chattanooga, Tennessee Police Department that they had recovered the 2001 Silver Pontiac Grand Am, Maine registration 107RU, which was reported stolen in Bangor on February 6.

The vehicle is reportedly in fine condition and arrangements will be made with the owner to retrieve her vehicle.

The Maine Edge Criminal Mischief

2011-02-16T09:11:00.000-05:00

Off-duty trooper disarms, subdues knife-wielding man

MANCHESTER – An off-duty Maine State Trooper was able to disarm and subdue a man who allegedly pulled a knife on him during an altercation that was sparked when he reportedly clipped the trooper’s personal vehicle when driving in the wrong lane of travel.
On Feb. 7, off-duty Maine State Trooper Jon Leach was traveling southbound on the Pond Road when he encountered Jerry Larravee III, 47, currently of Manchester, traveling in his lane but going northbound. Larravee reportedly moved his vehicle back towards his proper lane of travel, but not before clipping the mirror on Leach’s personal vehicle. Leach noted that Larravee’s vehicle also forced approximately five other vehicles off the road as he traveled almost the entire length of the Pond Road in the wrong lane, according to police. Leach called into dispatch and informed them of the situation, remaining on the phone with them as he followed Larravee into the parking lot of a local bank.
Leach informed Larravee that he was a trooper and that Larravee had struck his vehicle. Larravee reportedly looked at Leach’s vehicle, claimed there wasn’t any damage and proceeded to try to leave. Leach took Larravee’s keys, placed them on the floorboard of his vehicle and told him to wait for the authorities to arrive. Leach said that Larravee then handed him a piece of paper and stated that it had all of his pertinent information on it and tried to leave again. After a struggle Leach removed Larravee’s keys a second time, at which point the man allegedly pulled a knife from his belt.
Leach was able to disarm Larravee, and struggled with the man for several minutes. Larravee was eventually subdued and placed under arrest. He was charged with driving to endanger, operating under the influence of drugs, and operating after revocation. Further charges may be pending. He was taken to Cumberland County Jail.
Leach, who was on sick leave for an unrelated shoulder injury, was treated for minor injuries. The altercation with Larravee did not aggravate his previous injury.

Left on red leads to charges

OLD TOWN – If your license is suspended and you have drugs in the car, you might want to think twice about taking that left turn when the light is red.
On Feb. 8, around 9:50 p.m., Officer Josh Loring was on patrol on College Ave. when he pulled up behind a vehicle at a red light at the intersection of Stillwater Avenue. The car was in the right lane, where traffic should take a right or go straight. The car then traveled through the red light, taking a left from the wrong lane.
Loring stopped the vehicle on Stillwater and approached to speak the driver, Aaron Riva, 20, of Bradley, and detected the odor of burnt marijuana when the window was rolled down. Riva initially denied that here were drugs in the car, but eventually admitted that there was marijuana under the seat.
The officer also located a marijuana pipe in the vehicle.
Riva was charged with possession of a usable amount of marijuana, sale and use of drug paraphernalia and operating after suspension. He was also cited for failure to stop at a red light.

Don’t you hate pants?

(Daniel Watson)

BREWER – A pants-less man was located in a local restaurant last Friday.
On Feb. 11, around 3:17 a.m., Officer Rodney Gerald was dispatched to South Main Street near Cianbro to investigate the report that a woman was running around in shorts jumping into snow banks. Shortly thereafter, Michael Allan, 34, of Brewer, called dispatch to say that his friend, Dan Watson, 30, of Orrington, has been drinking at his residence and allegedly urinated on his floor and struck him (Allan) with a frying pan. When Allan told Watson to leave, he reportedly jumped out of a closed window. Watson was reportedly not wearing any pants.
As Gerald was searching the area, a local restaurant owner told him that the door to his restaurant had been broken and the stoves had been turned on.
Gerald was joined by Cpl. Levi Sewall, and they located Watson inside the building with no pants, bleeding from cuts to his arms and legs.
Shortly after, Allan arrived and began to yell at Watson. He was asked repeatedly to leave before he was arrested and charged with criminal trespass and obstruction of government administration. Due to his wounds, Watson was not arrested, but he was transported to a hospital and charged with burglary and criminal mischief.

Valentine’s creeper

HANCOCK – A man reportedly violated his bail by attempting to contact a woman who had a protection order against him on Valentine’s Day.
On Feb. 14, Tpr. Greg Mitchell arrested Lawrence Meaney, 50, for violating a protection order and bail conditions. Meaney reportedly took a love letter to a woman shortly after being bailed out of jail for contacting the same woman.

How to go to jail: fight in front of police

BANGOR – An area man went to jail after he allegedly headbutted another night club-goer right in front of a police officer.
On Feb. 12 around 12:28 a.m., a Bangor Police officer was at an incident at night club on the Odlin Road when he saw two men exchange words about an altercation that had occurred earlier inside. One man, later identified as Frank Miliano, 23, headbutted the other man, causing the victim’s nose to bleed.
Miliano was arrested for assault and transported to Penobscot County Jail.

Trading a hotel room for a jail cell

BANGOR – A Houlton man was arrested when he failed to leave a local hotel after allegedly becoming disruptive.
On Feb. 10, around 2:52 a.m., Bangor police responded to the Ramada Inn for the report of a man being disorderly in the front lobby. When the officer arrived, papers were strewn about the floor, and the clerk told him that Randy McFarland, 51, of Houlton, had caused the mess.
Police noted that McFarland appeared to be extremely intoxicated. Officers warned him for disorderly conduct and escorted him back to his room.
Police were called back to deal with McFarland again around 3:23 a.m. McFarland was again allegedly being disruptive and staff requested he be removed. Police took him back to his room to pack his belongings, but McFarland failed to do so, according to police. He was then placed under arrest and taken to Penobscot County Jail. He was charged with criminal trespass.

Man drives into snow bank

BUCKSPORT – An Orland man was arrested after reportedly driving into a snow bank.
On Feb. 4, Deputy Rob Morang received a motor vehicle complaint on Route 1 in Bucksport. He located the vehicle on Route 1 and noted that it was swerving all over the road. Morang then watched it drive into a large snow bank.
The operator was identified as David Lawry, 29, of Orland. He claimed to be having a medical issue and was subsequently transported to Maine Coast Memorial Hospital. While there, he became uncooperative. Morang arrested Lawry and charged him with operating under the influence, operating without a license, possession of schedule W drugs and possession of a useable amount of marijuana.

Not making things better

MILBRIDGE – A Milbridge man reportedly made matters worse when he allegedly tried to flush some drugs when police arrived for a bail check.
Sgt. Jeffrey Ingemi and Tpr. Miles Carpenter, along with Washington County Sheriff's Office and the Milbridge Police Department, conducted a bail check on Jeremy Nason, 28, and Samantha Roberts 20.
Carpenter arrested Nason and Roberts for violation of conditions of release.
Nason was also summonsed for possession of a usable amount of marijuana and for falsifying physical evidence. Police reportedly caught Nason as he allegedly flushed some marijuana down a toilet. Possession of a usable amount of marijuana is a civil offense, falsifying evidence is a class E misdemeanor.

Milford drug arrests

2011-02-10T21:00:00.000-05:00

MILFORD - Maine Drug Enforcement Agents have made three arrests and seized a substantial amount of prescription drugs from a house in Milford on Feb. 9 on 115 Main Street in Milford.
Agents arrested Donald Dunton, age 59, from Milford; Linda Gilks, age 64, from Milford and David Seymour, age 53, from Greenbush.

An MDEA search warrant was served at Dunton’s mobile home in Milford. MDEA was assisted by officers from the Old Town Police, deputies from the Penobscot County Sheriff's Office and the Maine State Police. The arrests followed the purchases of prescription pills from Dunton and Gilks by undercover drug agents on more than one occasion. The trio has been under investigation for the past month. Seized during the search were 1,239 prescription pills (mostly oxycodone/hydrocodone) $6,859, and a pistol.

Dunton was charged with two counts of drug trafficking and possessing a firearm by a felon;Gilks was charged with two counts of drug trafficking; and Seymour was charges with one count of possession of oxycodone.