October 2020

On October 24, 2020,  at approximately 1:30 PM, Old Town Police responded to a 911 call from a residence located at 345 Brunswick Street in Old Town.  The caller reported a shooting had occurred inside the residence.  Responding officers and EMS discovered 42-year-old, Derek Blyth deceased.  Members of the Maine State Police Major Crimes unit responded and are investigating the circumstances surrounding the death.  An autopsy will be performed later today to determine the cause and manner of death.  Members of the Maine State Police Evidence Response Team were at the scene until the early morning hours and will return today to continue their work of processing the scene.  We believe this is an isolated incident with no ongoing public safety concerns.  More information will be released as it becomes available.  

The death of 42 year old Derek Blyth has been ruled a homicide by the Medical Examiner’s officer.  Blyth was shot to death in the apartment located at 345 Brunswick Street in Old Town at approximately 1:30 pm, Saturday afternoon.  The shooter has been identified and has been interviewed.  The investigation will continue to determine the circumstances that led to the shooting.  At this time, no charges have been filed.  

# of School Visits conducted – 0

# of OUI Alcohol Arrests – 2

# of OUI Drug Arrests – 0

# of DV Arrests – 2

10-19-20

Trooper Dana Austin stopped a vehicle for traffic violation in Hancock, as a result of the investigation, Andrew Kuti-Hellmer (32) of Southwest Harbor was arrested for Operating Under the Influence of Alcohol. Trooper Gavin Endre assisted.

Trooper Gavin Endre began investigating the report of stolen firewood in Eastbrook. The investigation continues.

10-20-20

Trooper Gavin Endre conducted a traffic stop on Route 182 in Hancock. During the stop, Kevin Page (58) of Hancock, was arrested for Violating Conditions of Release.

10-21-20

Trooper Owen Reed arrested Andrew Gerrish (41) of Farmington, for having warrants for his arrest after a traffic stop in Blue Hill.  Gerrish was also summonsed for Operating after Suspension, Providing a False Name, Illegal Attachment of Plates and Violation of Conditional Release.

10-22-20

Trooper Andy Foss responded to a theft complaint in Hancock where it was reported that a dog was stolen.  The dog was found later in the evening.

Trooper Dana Austin responded to Franklin for a motor vehicle accident with serious injuries. The operator was life flighted to Northern Light Eastern Maine Medical Center for his injuries. Trooper Austin was assisted by Corporal Christopher Smith and Trooper Gavin Endre.

10-23-20

Sergeant Jeff Ingemi arrested Brian Legare (36) of Dennysville for Operating Under the Influence of Alcohol after a traffic stop in Wesley.  Washington Sheriff Office assisted.

Trooper Travis Chapman stopped a vehicle for a defect in Steuben. As a result of the stop the operator Armain Pazmino (24) of Machias was summonsed for Operating after Suspension and Violation of Conditions of Release.

10-24-20

Trooper Travis Chapman stopped a motor vehicle for several infractions on the Blackswoods Road in Franklin. As a result of the stop Travis Yeaton (36) of Steuben was arrested for Operating with a Revoked (Habitual Offender) License and Violation of Conditions of Release.

 

 

Troop D weekly activities for time October 19th to October 25th, 2020

On 10/18/2020 Trooper Belanger stopped Mark Ross (37) of Morrill on Rt. 7 in Jackson. Ross was suspended and arrested for OAS.

On 10/19/2020 Cpl. Quintero and Tr. Belanger arrested Ryan Hamilton (43) of Burnham for Unlawful Possession of Schedule W drugs and Operating without a License on Main St. in Unity.  

On 10/21/2020 Tr. Roddy and Tr. Verhille responded to a crash on Route 3 in China. A tractor trailer unit rolled over, taking out a telephone pole and wires and blocking the roadway. No one was injured in the crash. Route 3 was closed for approximately 8 hours while Central Maine Power fixed the lines and the vehicle and load as removed. Department of Environmental Protection assisted on scene as well as China Fire Department.

On 10/21/2020 Tr. Adams stopped Frank Drew (54) of Knox for an expired registration in the town of Unity. Drew’s license was suspended. Drew was issued a criminal summons for OAS. 

On 10/21/2020   Tr. Bureau responded to Freedom for a report of a vehicle stuck in persons vegetable garden.  Tr. Bureau made contact with the operator Corey Palmer (39).  Palmer was unaware how he got there and had been consuming alcohol.  Palmer had a conditional Q license. Tr. Bureau arrested Palmer and transported him the Waldo County Jail.  Palmer was charged with OAS AND OPERATING BEYOND LICENSE RESTRICTION.

On 10/20/20202 Tr Mattson stopped Amy Sowa (35) on Leonard Rd in Thorndike.  Amy’s vehicle was unregistered, and she was summonsed and released for the offense.

On 10/22/2020 Tr. Martin stopped a vehicle on route 9 in Unity for a defect. The operator was a Benjamin Stowe (58) Tr. Martin learned Stowe had a suspended license and summonsed Stowe for the violation. 

On 10/23/2020 Tr. Peckham stopped Forest Hisler (21) of Albion on Route 3 in China after observing a vehicle being operated on the public which had just been force inspected the prior week, known to be criminally defective and a danger to the motoring public. Hisler was summonsed and the vehicle was towed.

On Saturday October 24, 2020, Trooper Anstett responded to the intersection of the China Rd and Abbott Rd in Albion for a motor vehicle crash with injuries.  Investigation revealed that Krista Carey (28) of Augusta was traveling north on Rt. 202 in Albion, attempted to turn left on Abbott road failing to yield to southbound traffic, striking Jillian Porchetta (31) head on.  Krista Carey was cited for failing to yield turning left and summonsed for operating without a license.  

On 10/24/2020 Trooper Belanger, Cpl. Quintero, and Sgt. Couturier stopped Ryan Dingley (36) and Meagan Bean (37) of Thorndike on School St in Unity. Drug paraphernalia was located and seized. Dingley was suspended and charged with OAS, VCR, and use and sale of drug paraphernalia. Bean was charged with Permitting Unlawful Use and Use and Sale of Drug Paraphernalia. 

10/24/2020 Trooper Belanger stopped Adam Jones (35) of Unity on School St in Unity. Jones was operating with an expired registration and charged with operating with an expired reg < 150 days.

On 10/24/2020 Trooper Belanger and Cpl. Quintero stopped William Whitcomb (39) of Monroe and Ross Liberty (27) of Belfast on Rt. 7 in Brooks. Whitcomb was found to be in possession of heroin and charged with possession of schedule W drugs. Liberty was found in possession of Methamphetamines and arrested for possession of schedule W drugs.
 

Incident Type:         criminal speed

Date:                          10/18/2020

Town:                        saint francis

Trooper:                   Tr. Desrosier

Brief Synopsis:       Tr. Desrosier was conducting traffic enforcement in Saint Francis, when he observed a vehicle driving at a high rate of speed.  He was able to get the vehicle on radar at 76 mph in a posted 35 mph zone.  Tr. Desrosier stopped the vehicle and the male driver stated he recently changed the tires on his truck and thought it may have thrown off his speedometer.  The man told Tr. Desrosier he knew he was speeding but did not think his speed was criminal.  The man was issued a criminal summons for exceeding the posted speed limit by 30 mph or more.

 

Incident Type:         operating without a license

Date:                          10/21/2020

Town:                        Mars hill

Trooper:                   Tr. Kilcollins

Brief Synopsis:       Tr. Kilcollins was putting gas in his cruiser when a woman, he knew did not have a valid driver’s license, drove into the gas station and pulled up to the pump directly behind him.  Tr. Kilcollins spoke with the woman and she admitted to knowing she did not have a valid license and should not be driving.  Tr. Kilcollins issued her a criminal summons for operating without a license and helped her arrange to have someone come get her and the vehicle.

 

Incident Type:         ACCIDENT

Date:                          10/22/2020

Town:                         bANCROFT

Trooper:                   Cpl. Quint

Brief Synopsis:       Cpl. Quint investigated a late report of a crash in Bancroft.  After an investigation, it was learned the female driver was driving too fast to negotiate a turn, lost control of her vehicle, and crossed the centerline in a corner striking a privately-owned fence.  The woman does not have a license and left the scene of the crash.  Cpl. Quint issued her a criminal summons for operating without a license, leaving the scene of a property damage crash, failing to report crash by quickest means, and a traffic summons for failing to maintain control of her vehicle.  No one was injured in the crash, but the vehicle was totaled. 

 

 

Incident Type:         warrant

Date:                          10/23/2020

Town:                        castle hill

Trooper:                   Tr. Kilcollins

Brief Synopsis:       Tr. Kilcollins was conducting traffic enforcement in Castle Hill and stopped a vehicle for speeding.  While conducting a computer query, it was discovered the woman had a warrant for her arrest.  After discussing the warrant with her, it was determined she would be able to post bail and was transported to Presque Isle Police Department where they met with a bail commissioner.  The woman was also issued a traffic summons for speeding and arranged for someone to get her vehicle and pick her up at the PD.

 

Incident Type:         ASSIST ANOTHER AGENCY

Date:                          10/23/2020

Town:                        dyer brook

Trooper:                   Tr. Castonguay

Brief Synopsis:       Tr. Castonguay assisted the Aroostook County Sheriff’s Department with a vehicle chase in Dyer Brook.  The Deputy attempted to stop a vehicle form criminal speeding and the car refused to pull over.  After a brief chase, the driver pulled into a private driveway where he was immediately arrested.  No one was injured and no property damage occurred with this incident.

 

 

Incident Type:         OAS

Date:                          10/24/2020

Town:                        monticello

Trooper:                   Cpl. Quint

Brief Synopsis:       Cpl. Quint was investigating an unrelated incident in Monticello.  He observed a woman, he knew to have a suspended driver’s license, driving on US Highway 1 and stop at the post office.  The woman is suspended for a previous OUI and was issued a criminal summons for the violation.  A licensed driver came to get her and the vehicle.

 

Incident Type:         ASSIST SECRET SERVICE

Date:                          10/24/2020

Town:                        Presque Isle

Trooper:                   CPL. Michaud / Tr. Mahon

Brief Synopsis:       Cpl. Michaud and Tr. Mahon assisted the US Secret Service on a protection detail in the Presque Isle area.  Several campaign events were scheduled for the area and troopers assisted with security and logistics.  The events were all concluded without any incidents.

 

Incident Type:         OAS / Warrant arrest

Date:                          10/19/2020

Town:                        Island Falls.

Trooper:                   Tr. Cotton

Brief Synopsis:       Tr. Cotton patrolling the Island Falls area when he recognized a vehicle being operated in the area.  Tr. Cotton knew that the man who had been operating the vehicle on a routine basis had a suspended license.  He pulled the vehicle over and discovered that the man had a warrant for his arrest as well as having a suspended license.  He was arrested and transported to jail without incident.

 

Incident Type:         WARRANT

Date:                          10/20/2020

Town:                        Hodgdon

Trooper:                   Tr. Sylvia

Brief Synopsis:       Tr. Sylvia arrested a 29-year-old female on an outstanding warrant without incident.  She was transported to the Aroostook County Jail.

 

Incident Type:         ARREST – PO Violation

Date:                          10/21/2020

Town:                        Littleton

Trooper:                   Tr. Sylvia

Brief Synopsis:       Tr. Sylvia responded to a possible protection order violation at an apartment complex in Littleton.  Tr. Sylvia arrested a 52-year-old female after determining she violated a protection order against a neighbor.  She was transported to ACJ and charged with the PO violation as well as VCR.

 

Incident Type:         THEFT

Date:                          10/21/2020

Town:                        Hodgdon

Trooper:                   Tr. Sylvia

Brief Synopsis:       Tr. Sylvia took a theft report in the town of Hodgdon.  The victim reported several items stolen from the property.  The investigation is ongoing.

 

Incident Type:         BURGLARY

Date:                          10/21/2020

Town:                        Allagash

Trooper:                   Tr. Casavant

Brief Synopsis:       Tr. Casavant responded to a residence in Allagash for a burglary investigation.  The victim alleges a family member and another subject broke in through a window and stole cash as well as a dog.  Tr. Casavant will be submitting the case for review.

 

Incident Type:         THEFT

Date:                          10/22/2020

Town:                        Mapleton

Trooper:                   tr. Casavant

Brief Synopsis:       Tr. Casavant responded to the theft of a catalytic converter from a truck parked at a business in Mapleton.  Evidence was collected at the scene and the investigation is ongoing.

On 10/21/2020, Tr. Darcy stopped a vehicle northbound on the turnpike in Wells. As the vehicle came to a stop, the driver and the passenger switched seats. As a result, Jason Batista (38) of China, ME, was charged with Class C Operating after Revocation. His probation officer was informed of the new criminal conduct as well.

On 10/22/2020, Tr. Darcy attempted to stop a vehicle northbound on the turnpike in York for having falsely attached plates. The vehicle took off and a pursuit took place. Sgt. Burton and Cpl. Wells (Troop A) joined the pursuit along the way. Cpl. Duda attempted to spike the vehicle in Saco, however the driver of the offending vehicle changed lanes last minute. The chase was terminated just prior to the Scarborough town line. Moments later, Sgt. Burton located the vehicle stopped in the breakdown lane just prior to exit 42. The passenger was taken into custody (and later released) and it was learned that the driver fled into the woods. The vehicle was searched and other than evidence of drug use, nothing illegal was found. Troopers from Troops G, A, and B, along with Scarborough PD units and Portland PD units, set up a perimeter in a neighborhood where the male was last seen. Tr. Fancy & K9 Dutch (Troop A) tracked the suspect for several hours along with a Portland PD K9 unit. Eventually, the search was called off as the suspect had not been located. The next morning, Scarborough PD received a call from someone stating that the suspect was in their backyard (the neighborhood had been notified of the incident through a reverse 911 call). The PD took him into custody and notified MSP. Tr. Darcy responded and transported the male, who was identified as Jonathan Stewart (38) of Sanford, to the CCJ in Portland where he was booked on the following charges: Class C Eluding, Class E OAS, and Class E Attaching False Plates.

On 10/22/2020, Tr. Loder stopped a vehicle in Kennebunk after the Augusta RCC received a call from a woman stating that Daniel Boucher left the Alfred Shelter after learning they didn’t have a bed for him.  The caller was concerned because Boucher had been drinking, was recently arrested for OUI, and was not supposed to be driving.  Troop A was initially given this information, but the RCC passed the info on to Tr. Loder after the caller called back to say Boucher was at a rest area with a Citgo station nearby.  After checking the southbound plaza in Kennebunk, Tr. Loder was heading over to check the northbound plaza when he saw Boucher’s vehicle on Route 35 and stopped it.  Boucher was arrested for Operating after Suspension (3 OUI-related suspensions) and VCR (2 sets of bail conditions) then transported to YCJ.  There was no indication that he had been drinking or using drugs.

On 10/23/2020, Tr. Vanadestine stopped two vehicles racing at criminal speed (109 MPH) on the turnpike NB in Augusta. Both were juveniles late for hockey practice and were summonsed for no driver license and following too closely. A parent was called for one male.

On 10/25/2020, Tr. Vanadestine stopped Dominic Barbosa of Portland on the Turnpike SB in Biddeford for criminal speed (102 MPH), driving to endanger, passing on right, and following too closely.

A Veazie man died in an industrial accident on a building on the Ames Road in Kenduskeag on the morning of Oct. 27.

At approximately 9:45 a.m., on Oct. 27, 2020, Maine State Police from Troop E responded to a rented building on the Ames Road in Kenduskeag, where they determined Gary Mullen, 59, of Veazie, had been involved in an accident involving a forklift. Co-workers had administered aid, but he was declared deceased. OSHA has responded to the scene and will be primary on the incident.