October 2020

Incident Type:         CRIMINAL SPEED

Date:                          10/09/2020

Town:                        sT. fRANCIS

Trooper:                   Tr. Desrosier

Brief Synopsis:       Tr. Desrosier was conducting traffic enforcement in the town of St. Francis and stopped a vehicle for traveling 30 mph over the posted speed limit.  Tr. Desrosier issued the operator a summons for criminal speed.

 

 

Incident Type:         THEFT

Date:                          10/10/2020

Town:                        WOODLAND

Trooper:                   Tr. Kilcollins

Brief Synopsis:       Tr. Kilcollins received a report of a stolen side by side that had occurred sometime over the past two days.  Tr. Kilcollins is working on this case and there are no active leads at this time.

 

Incident Type:         CRIMINAL SPEED

Date:                          10/09/2020

Town:                        smyrna

Trooper:                   Tr. Castonguay

Brief Synopsis:       Tr. Castonguay was conducting stationary radar enforcement on I-95 in Smyrna when he observed a vehicle traveling at a high rate of speed.  Tr. Castonguay locked the vehicle’s speed at 108 mph in a posted 75 mph zone.  Tr. Castonguay issued the operator a summons for traveling 30 mph over the posted limit.

 

Incident Type:         Traffic stop

Date:                          10/05/2020

Town:                        Presque Isle

Trooper:                   Tr Levesque

Brief Synopsis:       Tr. Levesque stopped a vehicle in Presque Isle for operating without headlights.  The driver was a juvenile who did not have a license.  The passenger, also a minor was the owner of the car, but she was intoxicated and did not want to drive.  Tr. Levesque notified both parents and summons the driver for operating without a license and summonsed the passenger for criminal permitting unlawful use.  Both juveniles were picked up by their parents. 

 

 

Incident Type:         DISORDERLY CONDUCT

Date:                          10/11/2020

Town:                        Amity

Trooper:                   Tr. Mahon

Brief Synopsis:       Tr. Mahon responded to a report of an intoxicated male who was screaming and throwing a fit. Tr. Mahon arrived and warned the male for disorderly conduct. A short time later Tr. Mahon was called back to the residence as the male reportedly was yelling outside with a blow torch. Tr. Mahon arrested the male for disorderly conduct without incident. 

Incident Type:         Troop training

Date:                          10/08/2020

Town:                        Houlton

Trooper:                   Troop F

Brief Synopsis:       Troop F Troopers went through a vehicle ambush training course at the Houlton Range put on by Sgt. Tyler Stevenson which consisted of classroom and live fire training. 

 

Incident Type:         Personal Injury Crash

Date:                          10/09/2020

Town:                        New Sweden

Trooper:                   Tr. Curtin

Brief Synopsis:       State Police responded to Route 161 in New Sweden for a reported two-vehicle head-on-collision.  Troopers learned that 63-year old Bryan Forbes of Stockholm was traveling north in his 2005 Mercury Sable. At the same time, 32-year-old Stephanie Anderson of Caribou was traveling south in her 2006 Chrysler PT Cruiser when the vehicle suffered an apparent equipment failure, causing it to enter the northbound lane. Anderson’s vehicle struck Forbes’s vehicle head-on before ultimately leaving the roadway and rolling over on its side.  Anderson suffered serious, non-life-threatening injuries and was transported to Cary Medical Center and later released. Forbes suffered serious injuries and was transported to Cary Medical Center. He was later transferred to Northern Light Eastern Maine Medical Center in Bangor where he remains in serious but stable condition. Anderson was summonsed for Operating after Suspension and is due to appear in Caribou District Court in December. State Police were assisted at the scene by the Aroostook County Sheriff’s Office and Caribou Fire/Ambulance. The investigation remains active and ongoing.

Maine State Police will be conducting OUI saturation patrols and checkpoints in the Cumberland County throughout the month of October.

A Massachusetts man was indicted by a Grand Jury for felony manslaughter charges for killing another motorist on I-295 earlier this year.

On Oct. 14, 2020, following several months of investigation, a Grand Jury indicted Nasser Tibaijuka, 42, of Waltham, Massachusetts, on a charge of Manslaughter, Class A. This charge is resulting from a fatal motor vehicle crash that occurred on July 3, 2020, in Topsham on I-295, where Mr. Tibaijuka struck and killed Joseph Fisher, 41, of Woolwich, while he was securing an item in his truck bed in the breakdown lane. Tibaijuka was arrested by New Hampshire State Police and extradited to Maine, where he was transported to Two Bridges Regional Jail and is awaiting arraignment.

# of School Visits conducted – 0

# of OUI Alcohol Arrests – 0

# of OUI Drug Arrests – 0

# of DV Arrests – 3

10-13-20

Trooper Dana Austin responded Hancock for a report of two lost hunters. The two hunters had gotten lost after shooting a deer. Trooper Austin located one of the hunters and stood by until the Maine Warden Service arrived. Warden Eric Rudolph located the other lost hunter and assisted him with getting him out of the woods. The hunter was checked out by a ambulance due to hyporthermia. Trooper Austin was assisted by Sergeant Jason Sattler.

10-14-20

Trooper Kim Sawyer summonsed Rodney Levesque (41) of Machias for Violating Conditions of Release after a traffic stop in Meddybemps for speed. He was in possession of Marijuana and his conditions were not to use or possess it.

10-15-20

Trooper Gavin Endre began investigating the theft of election signs in Trenton.

Trooper Miles Carpenter investigated a complaint of a political sign being driven over in Machiasport. 

10-17-20

Trooper Caleb McGary responded to a theft complaint in Orland where money was paid for services on a house and the work was not completed.  Investigation continues. 

Incident Type:         THEFT

Date:                          10/12/2020

Town:                        Blaine

Trooper:                   Tr. Kilcollins

Brief Synopsis:       Tr. Kilcollins is actively investigating a theft in Blaine.  The victim, a local farmer, reported someone stole a variety of tools from a locked tool truck as well as the power cords that run the conveyor system to unload potatoes from the trucks and put them inside bins in the potato house.  Tr. Kilcollins is following leads and the incident was posted to the State Police Facebook page seeking help from the public.

Incident Type:         ASSIST ANOTHER AGENCY

Date:                          10/17/2020

Town:                        New limerick

Trooper:                   Cpl. Quint

Brief Synopsis:       Houlton PD requested Troopers check a camp in New Limerick for a man they wanted arrested due to a motor vehicle crash in their town.  The man is also on probation.  Cpl. Quint and Tr. Castonguay checked several camps in the area but did not locate the suspect.  He was later apprehended, in Houlton, by Houlton PD.

Incident Type:         hit and run crash

Date:                          10/17/2020

Town:                        mars hill

Trooper:                   Tr. Kilcollins

Brief Synopsis:       Tr. Kilcollins investigated a hit-an-run crash in the IGA parking lot in Mars Hill.  The suspect vehicle struck a parked car in the front driver’s corner and then fled the area.  Using the stores surveillance equipment, Tr. Kilcollins was able to see the suspect vehicle registration and located the driver.  The driver stated he did not think it was that much damage and did not need to wait or report the incident.  He was issued a criminal summons for leaving the scene of a property damage crash. 

Incident Type:         THEFT

Date:                          10/18/2020

Town:                        Frenchville

Trooper:                   Tr. Martin

Brief Synopsis:       Tr. Martin met with a property owner in Frenchville after she reported that some items she had been storing were missing.  The items had been in storage for some time, and it appears someone had recently stolen items from the property.  The investigation is ongoing.

Incident Type:         Criminal Speed

Date:                          10/18/2020

Town:                        Stockholm

Trooper:                   Tr. Martin

Brief Synopsis:       Tr. Martin summoned a local woman for criminal speed when he observed her traveling 96 MPH in a 55 MPH speed zone

Incident Type:         PURSUIT

Date:                          10/14/2020

Town:                        Presque isle

Trooper:                   Tr. Levesque

Brief Synopsis:       Tr. Levesque arrested a woman after she led him and several other law enforcement officers on a high-speed chase in Presque Isle.  The woman and her boyfriend had led troopers, deputies, and local officers on several pursuits with multiple stolen vehicles over the course of several days.  The night before, her boyfriend had been involved in a high-speed pursuit with Tr. Casavant and Tr. Sylvia.  That chase ended after he crashed and was taken into custody.  Tr. Levesque’s pursuit came to an end after spike mats were used by Presque Isle PD to deflate the tires of the vehicle the woman had stolen earlier in the morning.  Once the vehicle was no longer able to be driven, the woman attempted to flee on foot but stopped voluntarily and was taken into custody by Tr. Levesque.  She is now facing multiple charges, to include burglary, theft, and eluding.  All the vehicles stolen have been recovered and there were no injuries in any of the pursuits.

 

Incident Type:         PURSUIT

Date:                          10/13/2020

Town:                        Littleton

Trooper:                   Tr. Casavant /TR. Sylvia

Brief Synopsis:       Tr. Casavant and Tr. Sylvia responded to the report of a stolen vehicle when OnStar reported a location of a vehicle that had been stolen out of Caribou.  Once they located the stolen vehicle, the operator fled at speeds of over 100 MPH and led the troopers south and then north on Route 1.  The troopers were aware that the vehicle had possibly been stolen by a man and woman that had led other agencies on several pursuits with different stolen vehicles over the last few days.  The operator crashed the vehicle after attempting to make a sharp left had turn and crashing into a deep ditch.  He was taken into custody and his girlfriend was arrested by Tr. Levesque the following morning after leading him on another high-speed pursuit with a separate stolen vehicle.

Incident Type:         OAS

Date:                          10/12/2020

Town:                        Oakfield

Trooper:                   Tr. Cotton

Brief Synopsis:       Tr. Curtin charged a local man for operating after suspension after watching him drive past him and turn into a convenience store.  Tr. Cotton knew the man’s right to operate was under suspension, and that he had been charged for the same violation the night before by one of the local police departments.  A licensed driver was called to take the vehicle home.

Incident Type:         OAS

Date:                          10/17/2020

Town:                        Oakfield

Trooper:                   Tr. Cotton

Brief Synopsis:       Tr. Cotton charged a local man with Operating After Suspension after seeing him driving past him on the street.  The man pulled into a convenience store and fled out the passenger side of the vehicle.  A short time later, Tr. Cotton located him and charged him with the violation.  It was the second time in recent days that Tr. Cotton had charged the man for driving without having a valid license.

Incident Type:         RECOVERED STOLEN VEHICLE

Date:                          10/16/2020

Town:                        Wallagrass

Trooper:                   Tr. Curtin

Brief Synopsis:       Tr. Curtin recovered a stolen motor vehicle in Wallagrass after a local man reported finding the vehicle crashed in a remote wooded area.  The vehicle had been pursued earlier in the month by a local PD after it was learned that the vehicle had been stolen out of New York.  Tr. Curtin is working with authorities in the area the vehicle was stolen from to have it returned to the owner.

Incident Type:         warrant Arrest X 2

Date:                          10/16/2020

Town:                        wallagrass

Trooper:                   Tr. Curtin

Brief Synopsis:       Tr. Curtin responded to a local apartment complex after Houlton RCC had taken a report this time of a possible drug overdose.  Tr. Curtin was familiar with all the parties involved.  The subject who had reportedly overdosed refused medical treatment and appeared to be fine.  Once the medical issue had been resolved Tr. Curtin learned that the man and his girlfriend both had outstanding warrants for their arrest.  He arrested them both and transported them to the local police department where they were able to post bail.

Incident Type:         K-9 ACTIVITY

Date:                          10/15/2020

Town:                        Presque Isle

Trooper:                   Tr. Sylvia K-9 Ziva

Brief Synopsis:       Tr. Sylvia and K-9 Ziva responded to a call for assistance from Presque Isle PD when a wanted man had fled into a wooded area on the outskirts of town.  The man had been spotted on several occasions, but each time he was found, he would flee into another wooded area.  Tr. Sylvia and K-9 Ziva tracked the wanted man and located him in a wooded area.  He was taken into custody and transported to the PD.

 

Incident Type:         Burglary

Date:                          10/16/2020

Town:                        Hodgdon

Trooper:                   Tr. Sylvia

Brief Synopsis:       Tr. Sylvia responded to a Hodgdon business after some donation jars were found to have been stolen.  The investigation is ongoing, and leads have been developed in the case.

 

On 10/13/2020, Cpl. Cote attended a BMV hearing in the case of Gregory Forget of Buckfield who he had previously arrested and charged with OUI.  Forget’s suspension was upheld at the conclusion of the hearing.

On 10/14/2020, Tr. Darcy stopped a vehicle off exit 32 in Biddeford. The roadside investigation led to a search where a small amount of fentanyl and paraphernalia was seized. The driver was charged with OAS and the vehicle was towed from the scene. The two occupants were from Hollis.  Sgt. Pappas, Tr. Loder, and Biddeford PD assisted.

On 10/15/2020, Section 4 received a complaint of vehicle that was operating extremely erratically.  Tr. LiBritz spotted the vehicle and pulled it over.  Cpl. Physic came to the scene and Tr. LiBritz told Cpl. Physic about the observations of the driver.  Cpl. Physic put the driver through SFSTs and arrested Burke O’Donnell.  Cpl. Physic called in a DRE who determined Burke was under the influence of narcotics and not able to operate a motor vehicle safely.

On 10/17/2020, Cpl. Cote stopped Mary Ellen Remington (30) of Livermore Falls on the ME Turnpike southbound in Gray.  She was charged with Operating after Suspension.

On 10/18/2020, Cpl. Cote arrested Emily Nelson (21) of Buckfield on the ME Turnpike by the Saco tolls.  She was charged with Operating Under the Influence.  Her BrAC was over the legal limit.

Sgt. Porter instructed at the Scarborough Firearms Range all week.

Tr. Kristy LiBritz starting coaching with the GNG Diamonds Cheerleading Rec Program for their 2020-2021 season. It is for grades PK-8th and is a competitive, team-based sport. This year may look different as competitions could be virtual, but it is a great way to keep kids involved and stay active.

Troop D weekly activities for time October 12th to October 18th, 2020

On 10/14/2020 Tr. Belanger, and Cpl. Quintero stopped Clifford Sousa (45) of Gardiner on Water St in Randolph for speeding. Sousa was on probation and was found to be in possession of suboxone. SOUSA was arrested for possession of schedule W drugs and violating probation.

On 10/14/2020 Tr. Belanger stopped Daniel Wheelock (57) of West Gardiner for an expired inspection sticker on Maine Ave in Farmingdale. Wheelock had a suspended driver’s license and was charged with OAS.

On 10/17/2020 Tr. Belanger Cpl. Quintero, and Sgt. Couturier stopped Bethany Hasson-Meunier (31) of Oakland for an inadequate plate light on 295 mm 51 South. Hasson was found to be in possession of 5 grams of fentanyl, methamphetamines, and drug paraphernalia. Hasson was charged with Unlawful Trafficking in Schedule W Drugs, Unlawful Possession of Schedule W Drugs, and VCR.

BREWER – Maine State Police, Brewer Police and Fire, along with MaineDOT responded to the scene of a construction accident that happened along I-395 in Brewer at the Wilson Street overpass bridge project.  At approximately 3:24 pm yesterday afternoon 2 construction workers were standing on a temporary wooden walkway on the overpass above the I-395 exit to Wilson Street.  They were removing cross bracing that connected the outer bridge beam to the beam beside it.  They had removed several braces when the outer bridge beam apparently twisted unexpectedly as the support was removed, this in turn caused the platform that they were standing on to shift out of the flange area and fall to the roadway below.  Both workers who were identified as a 19 Y.O. Garrett Mulligan and 56 Y.O. Darren Pelletier fell approximately 20 feet, landing on top of the walkway material.  Fortunately there were no vehicles immediately below the area as the men fell.  The pair suffered injuries and were taken by ambulance to Northern Light Eastern Maine Medical Center in Bangor.
 
This construction site is part of a Maine Department of Transportation project to replace several interstate bridges. The contractor on this project is Wyman and Simpson out of Richmond who the injured men work. Work on the project was suspended, the off ramps were closed for several hours while the debris was removed and the site was made safe for traffic to resume.
   
Federal officials from the Federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) were contacted by the State Police, they are the lead investigating agency.
 

Michael Bell, age 44, formerly of Leeds, Maine, was being investigated by Maine State Police for allegations of Gross Sexual Assault against a woman in Maine (name is not being released).

On Oct. 9, 2020, Androscoggin District Attorney’s Office reviewed the evidence in the case and granted a nationwide arrest warrant for Bell charging:  one count each of Unlawful Sexual Contact Class A and Class B four counts of Gross Sexual Assault Class A.  

Bell was located in Kankakee, Illinois but died shortly after being located by police due to an ongoing medical issue.

If you’ve been a victim of sexual abuse and want to talk to someone about it, please call the Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Services at 207-784-5272.

A Hiram man was killed in a crash in Lyman in the evening of Oct. 22. 

On Oct. 22, 2020, 11:45 p.m., Maine State Troopers from Troop A responded to a single vehicle into a tree in the area of 156 Clarks Woods Road in the town of Lyman. The driver, Aaron Mitchell, 36, of Hiram, was transported to Maine Medical Center with serious injuries and later died. Troopers believe his vehicle crossed the center line and struck a tree head on.  Speed and alcohol do not appear to be factors. Mr. Mitchell was wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash. We extend condolences to the family and friends of Mr. Mitchell.