December 2019

The Maine State Police, Major Crimes Unit and Scarborough Police Department are investigating a homicide at 193 Beech Ridge Road in Scarborough.  The 82 year old victim, James Pearson, was attacked in the front yard of his residence by an unknown assailant at approximately 8:15 AM this morning.  Scarborough Rescue transported Pearson to Maine Medical Center where he was pronounced dead.  

State Police and Scarborough Police have been on scene Sunday conducting interviews and processing the crime scene.  Residents are being asked by police to maintain awareness of their surroundings and to report any unusual activities, as police continue to investigate the death.  Anyone with information regarding this case are asked to contact Maine State Police at 207-624-7076 or Scarborough Police at 207-883-6361.

Lieutenant Mark Holmquist of the Maine State Police and Scarborough Police Chief Robert Moulton will brief reporters at 3PM at the Scarborough Police Department conference room.
 

# of School Visits conducted – 2

# of OUI Alcohol Arrests – 0

# of OUI Drug Arrests –  0

# of DV Arrests –  0

12-13-19

Trooper Travis Chapman stopped a vehicle for an expired inspection sticker in Trenton. As a result of the stop, Justin Soper (39) of Surry was summonsed for Operating with a Suspended license.

Trooper Travis Chapman stopped a vehicle in Orland. As a result of the stop Casey Rodrigue (29) of Deer Isle was summonsed for Attaching False plates and Violation of Conditional release.

Incident Type:         oas

Date:                          12/11/2019

Town:                        monticello

Trooper:                   Tr. Kilcollins

Brief Synopsis:       Tr, Kilcollins was conducting traffic enforcement in Monticello.  He stopped a vehicle for speeding subsequently discovering the driver had a suspended Maine driver’s license.  The man was issued a summons for the violation and arranged to have a licensed driver come get him and the vehicle.

 

Incident Type:         OUI

Date:                          12/15/2019

Town:                        presque isle

Trooper:                   Tr. Martin

Brief Synopsis:       Tr. Martin was driving through Presque Isle when he observed a vehicle committing a traffic infraction.  Tr. Martin stopped the car and suspected the male driver was impaired.  Subsequent an investigation and Field Sobriety Testing, the man was arrested for Operating Under the Influence of liquor and transported to Presque Isle PD for a breath test.  The results of the test showed the man was over the legal limit.  The man was able to post bail and was brought to his residence in Presque Isle by Tr. Martin.

Incident Type:         warrant

Date:                          12/15/2019

Trooper:                   Cpl. Quint

Brief Synopsis:       Cpl. Quint was investigating a civil issue between a landlord and tenant in Stacyville.  During the investigation, it was found that one of the men had an active arrest warrant for failing to appear in court for an OAS charge.  The man was arrested and brought to the Troop F barracks where he was able to post bail.

Incident Type:         THEFT

Date:                          12/15/2019

Town:                        New limerick

Trooper:                   Cpl. Quint

Brief Synopsis:       Cpl. Quint was driving south on Interstate 95, New Limerick, when he observed two vehicles stopped on the side of the roadway.  It appeared two men were arguing.  Cpl. Quint stopped behind the vehicles and an investigation determined one of the men just stole one of the vehicles from York’s of Houlton.  The vehicle was left at the dealership by Northern Maine Railroad for repairs when the man found the keys and took the truck.  The truck broke down on the Interstate and the second man, employed by the railroad, observed the truck seeing it was a railroad vehicle and stopped to check on the driver.  The man discovered the truck had been stolen.  Cpl. Quint arrested the man and transported him to the Aroostook County Jail in Houlton for Theft by Unauthorized Use of Property and for Operating Without a License.

 

Incident Type:         OUI

Date:                          12/13/2019

Town:                        Oakfield

Trooper:                   Tr. Cotton

Brief Synopsis:       A motorist traveling South on I95 observed a vehicle traveling North in the South Bound lane in the area of Mile Marker 283. The motorist got the vehicle turned around and then called HRCC to report the wrong way driver. Tr. Cotton located the vehicle parked in the break down lane in the area of Mile Marker 270. Tr. Cotton contacted the male subject driving the vehicle and conducted field sobriety tests. Tr. Cotton determined that the male was impaired. Tr Cotton transported the male to the Aroostook County Jail for an Intoxilyzer test. Tr. Cotton met with an Aroostook County Sheriff’s deputy who performed a DRE evaluation on the male. The Deputy determined that the male was impaired by Cannabis and Depressants. Tr. Cotton charged the male with OUI-Drugs with 1 prior as well as Criminal OAS and booked him into the Aroostook County Jail.

Incident Type:         ASSIST OTHER AGENCY

Date:                          12/09/2019

Town:                        MM 201

Trooper:                   Tr. Bell

Brief Synopsis:       While traveling home from training, Tr. Bell heard on the radio that there was a crash around mm201 northbound on I-95, and a male was observed walking southbound away from the crash.  Tr. Bell found the male and gave him a ride back to his car.  After learning the identity of the male driver and male passenger Tr. Bell was familiar with both of their drug histories in Aroostook County.  Tr. Bell interviewed both subjects briefly, and suspected that both were involved in criminal activity.  Tr. Bell informed responding Troop E Troopers of his findings and indicators of criminal activity.  A subsequent investigation by the Troop E Troopers led to a seizure of suspected heroin from the male passenger and suboxone from the male driver.  The driver was released with a warning, and the passenger was summonsed for felony possession of a scheduled drug due to prior drug convictions

Incident Type:         BURGLARY

Date:                          12/12/19

Town:                        blaine

Trooper:                   Cpl. Michaud

Brief Synopsis:        Cpl. Michaud responded to a local business in Blaine when the owner reported a burglary had occurred.  The investigation revealed that property had been stolen from the business in the early evening hours.  Video footage from the burglary has been recovered and the investigation is ongoing.

Troop D weekly activities for time December 9th to December 15th 2019

On 12/8/19 Tr. Verhille responded to 7 Warren Street in Hallowell to Assist Hallowell PD with a domestic assault complaint. After further investigation, Dennis Mooney (40) of Hallowell was arrested for Aggravated Assault.

On 12/9/19 Tr. Verhille responded to a report of a vehicle off the road and over an embankment in the woods. After further investigation Tr. Verhille learned the vehicle had been stolen out of Sabattus. Tr. Verhille notified Sabattus PD then collected evidence from the scene to aid in their investigation.
On 12/11/19 Tr. Harrington summonsed Jason Chabot (33) of Fairfield for Operating unregistered motor vehicle >150 days on I95 in Augusta. 

On 12/11/19 Tr. Martin responded to a late report of an assault in Swanville. As a result of the investigation, Takota Lenfest (21) of Swanville was arrested and charged with Domestic Violence Assault and Violating Conditions of Release. 

On 12/12/19 Trooper’s Belanger, Webber, and Cpl. Robinson conducted a probation check on Ginger Hegstrom (37) of Thorndike, at her residence. Hegstrom was found with crack cocaine, crack manufacturing contraband, and paraphernalia; she also tested positive for cocaine and opiates. Hegstrom was arrested for a probation violation, aggravated trafficking of scheduled W drugs, and use of drug paraphernalia. 

On 12/12/19 Trooper’s Belanger, Webber, and Cpl. Robinson made contact with Matthew McIver (33) of Thorndike, in Monroe. McIver was wanted on a probation revocation warrant and Failure to Appear (FTA) warrant. McIver barricaded himself in his grandmother’s house. Access was ultimately gained, and McIver was taken into custody without incident. 

On 12/13/19 Tr. Dunn stopped Daniel Dugay, (23) of Lisbon, on Rt. 201 for an inspection sticker violation. Dugay was founded to be suspended and had not registered the vehicle after purchasing it several months prior. Dugay was summonsed for both charges and also issued a citation for insurance.

On 12/13/19 Trooper Belanger was at Belfast District Court when Isaac Wright (42) of Belfast, walked into the court and became belligerent towards the court clerks. It became known that Wright had an active failure to Appear (FTA) warrant and was placed under arrest.

On 12/13/19 Tr. Verhille responded to a property damage crash on the Richmond Road in the Town of Litchfield. Diana Higgins, (46) of Litchfield, lost control of her vehicle when she was operating too fast for road conditions.  

On 12/13/19 Tr. Verhille responded to a two-vehicle property damage crash on the Richmond Road in the Town of Litchfield. Susan Look (57) of Litchfield sideswiped Michael Weisman, (55) of Beverly, Massachusetts, when she attempted to pass him on icy road conditions.

On 12/14/19 Tr. Adams went to 662 Loggin Road in the town of Frankfort to attempt to locate William Ripley (26). Ripley was located and arrested on an outstanding warrant. Ripley was taken to the Waldo County Jail. 

On 12/14/19 Tr. Harrington stopped Christopher Miller (23) and Amanda Johnson (24) both of Rochester, New Hampshire on Western Avenue in Augusta after observing traffic infractions occur on both I295 in West Gardiner and I95 in Augusta. Criminal indicators were observed, and Tr. Lacoste was called on to assist with K9 Bella. As a result of the investigation, Troopers located Methamphetamine and numerous types of drug paraphernalia inside the vehicle. Miller was arrested and transported to Troop D where he was interviewed, fingerprinted and released. Cpl. Wesbrock assisted with the stop as well. 

CHINA, Maine—A China man is facing charges after Troopers conducting a bail check found him to be in possession of a firearm while being prohibited.

On Dec. 17, 2019, Troopers from Troop D executed a search warrant at the residence of Thomas Colwell, 62, of China, Maine. Troopers had initially investigated a bail violation on Dec. 16, 2019, at the same address where Thomas’s son, Christopher was arrested. During the initial investigation, Troopers learned Thomas was a convicted felon and firearms prohibited but could possibly be in possession of more firearms. During the afternoon of Dec. 17, Troopers executed the search warrant at the address and located a .22 caliber pistol and a .223 caliber hunting rifle and ammunition. 

Troopers arrested Colwell and transported to Kennebec County Jail in Augusta where he was charged with being in possession of a firearm by a Felon. Colwell is due in court in February 2020.  
 

State Police say a 29 year old man is being treated for multiple wounds after he was shot by police in Canaan following a chase from Waterville, after a Waterville Police officer was shot and wounded.  Richard Murray-Burns of Harmony is being treated at EMMC in Bangor.

The Waterville officer – Timothy Hinton – was shot in both arms and was treated and released about 4:30 PM  from the Thayer unit of MaineGeneral in Waterville.  Hinton had stopped a car along Route 201 after a shoplifting complaint from Waterville’s Wal-Mart.   Hinton was fired upon as he in his cruiser and as the gunman’s car left the scene, Hinton, who was wounded,  began the pursuit until other officers could pick up the chase. Police officers from several police agencies  were involved in the pursuit, along Routes 201 and 23, ending at Route 2  in Canaan when several officers fired and wounded the suspect. 

Several police cruisers in the chase were struck by gunfire from the suspect , including a couple of cruisers which were disabled.  Murray-Burns was armed with an assault styled weapon.

As is standard in officer involved shootings, the Maine Attorney General’s Office  is investigating the incident and a team of investigators were sent to Canaan.  Eight police officers  shot at the suspect and they have each been placed on administrative leave with pay, which also is standard procedure.

In addition to Hinton, the officers involved were State Troopers Eric Sucy, Rick Moody, Daniel Murray and Garret Booth, Fire Marshal Investigator Ken MacMaster, Somerset Deputy Sheriff Stephen Arminger and Winslow Police Officer Cameron Huggins.  
 

Incident Type:         ASSIST OTHER AGENCY

Date:                          12/16/2019

Town:                        caribou

Trooper:                   lt. harris, tr. martin, tr. desrosier, tr. levesque

Brief Synopsis:       Caribou Police Department had an incident where two men assaulted someone with a baseball bat and fled the area.  Lt. Harris, Tr. Martin, Tr. Desrosier, Tr. Levesque and other officers from various agencies assisted Caribou PD with trying to locate the two men.  The two men were found within the hour and arrested without incident.

 

Incident Type:         OAS / False attachement of plates

Date:                          12/21/2019

Town:                        patten

Trooper:                   CPL. quint / recruit castonguay

Brief Synopsis:       Cpl. Quint and Recruit Castonguay were conducting traffic enforcement along US Highway 11, Patten.  There was a line of cars going north and Recruit Castonguay noted one of the vehicles was following another with its high beams activated.  He turned around to stop the vehicle and it pulled into a private driveway.  An investigation determined the female driver and the other two passengers had suspended drivers’ licenses and the registration plates were illegally attached.  The driver was issued a criminal summons for OAS and the male passenger, found to be the owner of the vehicle, was issued a criminal summons for false attachments of plates.

 Incident Type:        warrant

Date:                          12/21/2019

Town:                        mars hill

Trooper:                   sgt. clark / recruit mahon

Brief Synopsis:       Sgt. Clark and Recruit Mahon were patrolling the Central Aroostook County area.  They were aware that Presque Isle PD had an investigation where a warrant was issued for a man who resides in Mars Hill.  Sgt. Clark and Recruit Mahon went to the residence in Mars Hill looking for the suspect, located him, and arrested him on the warrant.  The man was transported to Presque Isle PD where he was able to post bail.

Incident Type:         OAS

Date:                          12/21/2019

Town:                        wallagrass

Trooper:                   Tr. Curtin

Brief Synopsis:        Tr.  Curtin pulled over a vehicle on Route 11 in Wallagrass for speeding.  A subsequent license check revealed the female operator did not have a license in Maine and her license from another state was suspended.  She was summoned to Fort Kent District Court for Operating Without a License.

Incident Type:         OAS

Date:                          12/21/2019

Town:                        caribou

Trooper:                   Cpl. Michaud

Brief Synopsis:       Cpl. Michaud charged a Caribou man and a Van Buren women for Operating After Suspension in two separate traffic stops while conducting traffic enforcement in the area.  The male subject was stopped for an inspection violation and the woman was pulled over for having and expired registration.  The female was also issued citations for not having insurance and the expired registration.  She was charged with the same violations by Tr. Curtin earlier in the month.  Her vehicle was towed from the scene.  Both operators have court dates in Caribou District Court for Operating After Suspension. 

# of School Visits conducted – 5

# of OUI Alcohol Arrests – 2

# of OUI Drug Arrests – 0

# of DV Arrests – 1

12-18-19

Sergeant Tim Varney summonsed Daniel Saflicki (18) of Hancock for Operating After Suspension-infraction after he was stopped for speeding on Rt. 179 in Fletcher’s Landing.

Trooper Dana Austin and Warden Eric Rudolph responded to Dedham for a disabled motor vehicle complaint, as a result of the investigation, Tiffany Abbott (35) of Hancock and Cassandra Molnar (33) of Ellsworth were both summonsed for Unlawful Possession of Heroin.

12-20-19

Trooper Jeffrey Taylor arrested Jason Leighton (42) of Pembroke for Operating Under the Influence as result of a traffic stop in Pembroke.

Sergeant Jeff Ingemi arrested Stephen Hudson (19) of Marshfield, for Operating with a Revoked License and Violation of Bail Conditions after a traffic stop in Machias. 

Trooper Dana Austin stopped a motor vehicle for a traffic violation in Holden, as a result of the investigation, John Potvin (25) of Orono was summonsed for Operating after Suspension.

Trooper Miles Carpenter covered a two-car crash in Day Block TWP.  Sheena Ramsdell (35) of Bangor was traveling east on Route 9 with her two children when she lost control of the vehicle and skidded into the oncoming lane crashing with a van traveling west.  Nicholas Dumond (24) of Orrington was driving the van.  Sheena and her children were transported to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.  Nicholas and his passenger were checked by EMS at the scene and released.  Maine Forest Service, Washington Sheriff’s Department, Down East Ambulance, Wesley Fire Department and Life Flight assisted with the crash. 

12-21-19

Trooper Miles Carpenter arrested Josie Alltop (19) of Crawford for Operating Under the Influence. 

Trooper Owen Reed and Trooper Caleb McGary responded to Penobscot for a report that an unknown man had entered two separate houses and appeared to be under the influence of drugs.  Upon arrival the male was arrested and identified as Joseph Howe (39) of Bucksport.  Howe was charged with Burglary, Criminal Trespass and Possession of Methamphetamine.

Trooper Keith York responded to Machiasport for a report that a subject was trying to get into a residence and then went into a parked car in the driveway.  Trooper York found Reece Miller (19) of Machias, highly intoxicated in the vehicle trying to stay warm.  Reece was summonsed for Possession of Alcohol by a Minor.

12-22-19

Trooper Andy Foss responded to a theft complaint in Trescott where a vehicle was reported broken into during the night.  A firearm, wallet and keys were reported missing.  Investigation continues.

Trooper Owen Reed responded to Deer Isle for a burglary complaint where a seasonal residence had been broken into.  Investigation continues.

 

Incident Type:         ARREST - OTHER

Date:                          12/26/2019

Town:                        OAKFIELD

Trooper:                   Cpl. Quint/rECRUIT cASTONGUAY

Brief Synopsis:       Recruit Castonguay and FTO Cpl. Quint were conducting rural patrol in the town of Oakfield when they observed a vehicle suddenly turn into a private driveway after they met.  Recruit Castonguay felt that it seemed suspicious and turned around to speak with the operator. The male operator gave two different stories as to where he was going and who he was picking up.  The vehicle had a Maine transit plate attached to it.  Once the investigation was complete, Recruit Castonguay issued the man a summons for misuse of a transit plate.

Incident Type:         WARRANT

Date:                          12/26/2019

Town:                        AMITY

Trooper:                   TR. CASAVANT/RECRUIT RIDER

Brief Synopsis:       Recruit Rider and FTO Tr. Casavant went to a residence in Amity to look for a man that had an outstanding warrant.  Recruit Rider spoke with the man’s mother who told him that the man was upstairs.  The man jumped out of the second story window and ran into the woods with no shoes on.  Recruit Rider and Tr. Casavant looked for the man and then called for a K9.  Tr. Sylvia responded and tracked the man to a residence nearby, but no one was home.  There were fresh tire tracks in the yard.  On 12/28, Recruit Rider and Sgt. Haines went back to the residence and found the man.  The man was arrested and transported to the Aroostook County Jail.

Incident Type:         WARRANT

Date:                          12/28/2019

Town:                        oakfield

Trooper:                   Cpl. Quint/Recruit castonguay

Brief Synopsis:       Recruit Castonguay and FTO Cpl. Quint assisted the Maine Forestry Service with a male subject that had a warrant for failure to pay fine for restitution.  Recruit Castonguay responded to the scene and arrested the man after the Forest Ranger was finished with his complaint.  The man was transported to the Aroostook County Jail.

 

Incident Type:         WARRANT

Date:                          12/28/2019

Town:                        OAKFIELD

Trooper:                   CPL. QUINT/RECRUIT CASTONGUAY

Brief Synopsis:       Recruit Castonguay and FTO Cpl. Quint responded to the town of Oakfield to assist the Maine Forest Service who were dealing with a male who had an outstanding warrant.  Recruit Castonguay placed the man under arrest for the warrant once the Forest Ranger was finished with his investigation.  The man was transported to the Aroostook County Jail. 

Incident Type:         WARRANT

Date:                          12/28/2019

Town:                        LITTLETON

Trooper:                   SGT. HAINES/RECRUIT RIDER

Brief Synopsis:       Recruit Rider and Sgt. Haines checked the warrant list for the town of Littleton and located a female at a residence who had an active warrant.  Recruit Rider placed the woman under arrest and transported her to the Aroostook County Jail.

 

Incident Type:         OAS

Date:                          12/29/2019

Town:                        MARS HILL

Trooper:                   TR. DESROSIER/RECRUIT MAHON

Brief Synopsis:       Recruit Mahon and FTO Tr. Desrosier were conducting traffic enforcement in the town of Mars Hill and stopped a vehicle for a traffic violation.  Recruit Mahon learned that the male operator was suspended.  Recruit Mahon summonsed the man for Operating After Suspension and the vehicle was towed from the roadway.

Incident Type:         theft

Date:                          12/22/2019

Town:                        linneus

Trooper:                   Tr. Bell

Brief Synopsis:       Tr. Bell investigated the theft of a truck and ATV in Linneus.  Investigation revealed the truck was civil due to the suspected girlfriend being on the bill of sale with the complainant boyfriend.  The ATV is still under investigation.

Incident Type:         oas

Date:                          12/29/2019

Town:                        presque isle

Trooper:                   Tr. Levesque

Brief Synopsis:       Tr. Levesque stopped a vehicle from South Carolina for a traffic violation.  When Tr. Levesque spoke to the driver it appeared, he did not have a license and provided him with multiple identification cards and an ID from Honduras.  The individual had expired licenses from multiple states but did not have a valid license from any state.  Tr. Levesque attempted to speak to the passenger, but he would not look or speak to Tr. Levesque.  Border Patrol was called to assist with speaking Spanish and to help identifying if the driver had a license.  Border Patrol arrived and discovered that the passenger was here illegally and assisted with Tr. Levesque speaking with the driver.  The driver was issued a summons for operating without a license and his car was towed. 

 

Incident Type:         OAS

Date:                          12/27/2019

Town:                        Presque isle

Trooper:                   Cpl. Michaud

Brief Synopsis:         Cpl. Michaud stopped a vehicle in Presque Isle for an inspection violation.  Upon further investigation Cpl. Michaud learned that the operator’s right to operate was under suspension.  The vehicle was moved a short distance to the operator’s home where he was cited for not having insurance and operating after suspension.

# of School Visits conducted – 0

# of OUI Alcohol Arrests – 2

# of OUI Drug Arrests – 0

# of DV Arrests – 0

12-23-19

Trooper Andy Foss responded to a trespassing complaint in Lubec and as a result of the investigation Darius Hutchinson (24) of the Bronx, New York, was arrested for having an active warrant for his arrest and for trafficking in Schedule “W” Drugs.  Drugs, drug paraphernalia and cash were seized.  Corporal Micah Perkins and Trooper Keith York assisted.

12-24-19

Trooper Gavin Endre responded to Hancock for the report of an intoxicated disorderly male. Upon investigation, the unruly male was returned to his room and his actions were addressed. While on scene, Trooper Endre located a worker who he knows to be on probation. Ricky Flaherty (46) of Sullivan was arrested due to being intoxicated while on probation.

12-25-19

Trooper Blaine Silk, Trooper Gavin Endre and Sergeant Timothy Varney responded to an assault complaint in Hancock. As a result of the investigation Ryan Kunkel (45) of Hancock was arrested for Aggravated Assault.

12-28-19

Sergeant Jeff Ingemi arrested Brian Rankin (48) of Sedgwick, for Operating Under the Influence of Alcohol/Drugs after a traffic complaint in Blue Hill.  Marine Patrol assisted and Trooper Travis Chapman assisted as a drug recognition expert.

Trooper Owen Reed responded to Stonington for a report that someone was possibly upstairs in a business building without permission.  As a result of the investigation, Anthony Stinson (50) of Deer Isle, was arrested for Criminal Trespass and Violation of Conditional Release.  Stinson was also summonsed for Criminal Mischief stemming from an investigation handled by Trooper Reed in Deer Isle on December 22^nd where Stinson had entered another building without permission.

Troopers Travis Chapman and Jeffrey Taylor responded to Mikes Market in Blue Hill for a report of a man passed out in the driver seat of a vehicle. Trooper Chapman spoke with the male, James Carpenter (29) of Brooksville and determined that he was impaired. Trooper Chapman brought him to the Hancock County Jail where a breath test was conducted.  Jared was charged with Operating Under the Influence and Endangering the Welfare of a Child as there were children in the vehicle with him. Corporal Daniel Ryan assisted with the investigation.

12-29-19

Corporal Micah Perkins summonsed Christopher Ferguson (48) of Nova Scotia, for Operating after Suspension after a traffic stop in Crawford.

Trooper Blaine Silk and Sergeant Timothy Varney responded to a crash on Rt. 179 Waltham.  As a result of the investigation, the driver involved in the crash, Tracy Moores (57) of Milbridge was arrested for Operating Under the Influence.