Troop G Weekly Report 01/11/2021 - 01/17/2021

On 01/12/2021, Tr. Vanadestine received an erratic driving complaint on a pickup hauling a U-Haul trailer SB on I-95. Tr. Vanadestine pursued the pickup, eventually ramming the trailer in order to get the vehicle to stop before he killed other motorists in the area. The driver of the pickup, David Stoddard of Topsham, intentionally rammed a Lieutenant from Kittery PD who was in the crossover at MM 4.5, disabling his vehicle and ending the pursuit. Numerous Troopers and local police officers assisted in the pursuit and crash scene at MM 4.5.

On 01/12/2021, Tr. Jarrett Mackinnon assisted with Tr. Lee Vanadestine’s vehicle pursuit that concluded at mile 4 southbound on the ME Turnpike in Kittery.

On 01/12/2021, Cpl. Ricci Cote responded to and is currently investigating a double fatal crash involving two tractor trailer units and a passenger car on the ME Turnpike at mile 3.4 northbound in Kittery.  Both occupants of the passenger car were killed.  Many units assisted at the scene, in addition to Fire and Rescue personnel, and Turnpike Maintenance personnel.  Once the investigation is complete, a report will be forwarded to the District Attorney’s Office for review.

On 01/14/2021, Sgt. Porter was notified that Mr. Kamau, who was operating a commercial MV delivering mail in a double fatal crash on the Turnpike in 2016, pled to Federal criminal charges. Kamau struck a passenger car in the rear pushing it underneath another tractor trailer unit. The driver of the car, as well as a 5-year-old passenger in the back seat, were killed.

On 01/14/2021, Tr. Darcy took a report of a stolen license plate from a vehicle that was parked at the Biddeford Park N Ride. The investigation is ongoing.

On 01/16/2021, Cpl. Physic was called to a rollover crash at Mile 30 in Arundel. One of the occupants, Shaun DiFrancesco, claimed he was the passenger in the vehicle, and that the driver had fled.  Fire Department members used a thermal imager and advised they could see a person in the woods.  Cpl. Physic and Cpl. Cote conducted a track with a K-9 from the Kennebunk Police Department but were unable to locate anyone. DiFrancesco had warrants for cases that stemmed from 2008 which were Criminal Mischief, Assault, and Domestic Violence Assault. Cpl. Physic arrested DiFrancesco on those warrants and took him to the York County Jail.  Sgt. Doughty, Sgt. Porter, and Tr. Welch also assisted. 

On 01/17/2021, Cpl. Ricci Cote began an investigation of theft that occurred at the ME Turnpike northbound plaza in Gray at mile 57.  Someone pried open a game machine overnight and stole an undisclosed amount of cash.

On 01/17/2021, Cpl. Physic received an erratic operation complaint. While Cpl. Physic was stationary waiting to see if the vehicle would come his way, he spotted a different vehicle traveling 101 MPH in a 50 MPH zone. Cpl. Physic pulled the vehicle over and contacted the driver, Frank Dushime. Dushime denied having anything to drink at all and said he had just come from work. Cpl. Physic put Dushime through field sobriety tests and placed him under arrest for OUI. Dushime was charged with Criminal Speed and OUI. Sgt. Doughty assisted.