2026

On Wednesday September 2, 2026, at 12:58 AM, the Lewiston Police Department received 911 calls of a disturbance and shots fired outside of the Blue Goose Tavern at 69 Sabattus Street in Lewiston.

Officers arrived and located an adult male and an adult female suffering from gunshots wounds. Both victims were transported to Central Maine Medical Center in Lewiston where the male was pronounced deceased. The female was treated and later released for her injuries. The Lewiston Police Department requested the assistance of the Maine State Police Major Crimes Unit South to assist in the investigation. The adult male responsible for firing the shots has been identified and is cooperating with law enforcement.

The deceased male was transported to the Office of Chief Medical Examiner in Augusta where cause and manner of death will be determined. His identity is being withheld pending the autopsy and notification of next of kin. Investigators believe this is an isolated incident and there is no known danger to the public.

Anyone who has information or may have been around the Blue Goose at the time of the shooting is asked to call the Maine State Police Major Crimes Unit at 207-624-7076.

On Wednesday, September 2, 2026, at approximately 1:25 AM, Troopers responded to a single-vehicle crash on I-95 northbound near mile marker 24 in Kennebunk. The crash occurred in an active construction zone.

The initial investigation determined that a gray 2020 Chevrolet 1500 pickup truck, operated by 28-year-old Brandon Perry of Dover, New Hampshire, was traveling at a high rate of speed before striking several traffic cones and a mobile construction sign board. The truck came to rest with the sign board lodged in the front of the vehicle.

Heavy-duty wrecking equipment was needed to remove the sign board from the grill of the truck. Approximately five construction cones were struck during the crash. At the time, construction workers were working approximately 100 yards away conducting bridge repairs. Perry told Troopers the truck had been experiencing mechanical issues prior to the crash.

Investigators determined that speed and the condition of the vehicle were contributing factors. Perry was evaluated at the scene but declined further medical treatment. He was charged with Driving to Endanger.  

On Tuesday, September 1, 2026, at 12:48 AM, the Brunswick Police Department responded to a 911 call at 5 Valerie Avenue in Brunswick for reported gunshots. Upon the arrival of responding officers, an adult male was located deceased on the property.

The resident of 5 Valerie Avenue was taken into custody on charges related to the incident and transported to the Cumberland County Jail. The Maine State Police Major Crimes Unit and the Maine Fire Marshal’s Office responded to assist the Brunswick Police Department with the ensuing investigation. The deceased male was taken to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Augusta for an autopsy to confirm identity and determine cause and manner of death.

There is no known danger to the public. As the investigation continues, investigators ask anyone with pertinent information of this incident to contact the Maine State Police Major Crimes Unit at 207-624-7076 Extension 9.

Proceeds from commemorative license plate auction to benefit the Trooper Black Foundation

Augusta, Maine – The Maine State Police and the Maine State Troopers Foundation have partnered to honor the lives and sacrifices of the first responders who died on September 11, 2001, while raising funds for the Trooper Black Foundation.

From September 1 through September 14, a series of commemorative license plates will be displayed on Maine State Police cruisers throughout the state. The plates will feature designs honoring the heroes lost 25 years ago, along with the Trooper Black Foundation logo-a symbol of hope and support for first responders and their families.

Following the campaign, the commemorative plates will be auctioned to the public, with all proceeds benefiting the Trooper Black Foundation. The foundation provides assistance to first responders and their families during times of crisis or need. The Trooper Black Foundation was established in honor of Maine State Police Trooper Charles Clinton Black, who was shot and killed in the line of duty on July 9, 1964, while responding to a bank robbery at the First National Bank of Biddeford in South Berwick. His legacy of service continues through the foundation’s support of first responders and their families.

The foundation honors Trooper Charles Black, who was shot and killed on July 9, 1964, while responding to a bank robbery at the First National Bank of Biddeford. Its mission is: “Providing assistance to first responders and their families during times of crisis or need.”

Maine State Police Colonel William Ross said, “As a former New York City police officer, I am deeply honored that these plates recognize the sacrifices of so many first responders on that tragic day. I am equally proud that foundations such as the Trooper Black Foundation continue to give back to those who put the public first. By displaying these commemorative plates, we hope to convey a message of hope and remembrance to the people of Maine and the nation. This initiative reflects our commitment to the well-being of our communities and to all first responders."

Remembrance Auction plates will be available on September 15, 2026, on the Trooper Foundation Website: www.mainestatetroopersfoundation.org

On Monday, August 31, 2026, at approximately 3:13 PM, the Bangor Regional Communications Center received a report of a Toyota Tacoma operating erratically and weaving in and out of traffic near mile marker 163 in Plymouth. A Trooper located the vehicle traveling northbound on I-95 in Carmel and initiated a traffic stop near mile marker 173 in Hampden.

During the stop, the Trooper spoke with the driver, who became argumentative and initially refused to identify himself. The Trooper detected the odor of alcohol and observed an open container of alcohol in the vehicle. A female passenger was also observed with facial injuries. When the Trooper asked the driver to exit the vehicle, he refused and then fled the traffic stop at a high rate of speed. A short time later, the Trooper located the Tacoma after it had crashed in the median and came to rest on the southbound side of the interstate across from the Hampden Rest Area. The driver fled the vehicle on foot into the wooded median.

With assistance from a Penobscot County Sheriff’s Office K-9 team, Ratliffe was located hiding in the woods along the interstate and taken into custody. The driver, identified as 33-year-old William Ratliffe of South Euclid, Ohio was transported to St. Joseph’s Hospital for medical clearance before being taken to the Penobscot County Jail. He was charged with Domestic Violence Reckless Conduct with a Dangerous Weapon, Domestic Violence Assault, OUI Refusal, Operating Without a License, Refusing to Submit to Arrest or Detention, and Leaving the Scene of a Property Damage Crash. Additional charges are possible.

The female passenger was transported to Northern Light Eastern Maine Medical Center for evaluation of her injuries. Maine State Police was assisted by the Penobscot County Sheriff’s Office, Hampden Police Department, Hampden Fire & EMS and the Maine Department of Transportation.

On Saturday, August 29, 2026, at approximately 7:15 PM, the Bangor Regional Communications Center took a report of a wrong way driver going northbound in the southbound lanes of I-295 in Portland. Moments later, both the Bangor Regional Communication Center and the Portland Regional Communication Center began taking calls about a head-on crash in the area of Tukey’s Bridge, near exit 8 in Portland.

State Police, Portland Police, and the Portland Fire Department responded to the scene. The preliminary investigation revealed that a 2020 Subaru Outback driven by 88-year-old Ronald Ferguson of Nelson, New Hampshire mistakenly entered the southbound lanes of I-295, going the wrong way. Shortly after, the Subaru struck a 2023 Mitsubishi Eclipse traveling southbound. Ronald, his female passenger and the female driver of the Mitsubishi Eclipse, were all transported to Maine Medical Center in Portland with serious but non-life-threatening injuries.

Two of the Four lanes of I-295 were shut down for just over two hours. The vehicles were towed by Southern Maine Towing and Maietta’s Towing. Maine DOT Safety Patrol assisted on scene. The investigation is ongoing.

On Thursday, August 20, 2026, shortly after 5:00 AM, the Sanford Police Department responded to a residence on Twombley Road in Sanford following a report of a deceased male located in the backyard by a fire pit. The Sanford Police Department notified the Fire Marshal’s Office, which subsequently notified the Maine State Police Major Crimes Unit- South.

Detectives and investigators from the Maine State Police Major Crimes Unit, Maine Fire Marshal’s Office, and Sanford Police Department remained on scene throughout the day. The remains were transported to the Medical Examiner’s officer for an autopsy. The identification, as well as the cause and manner of death are pending.

The investigation is still ongoing. There is no danger to the public.  No further information is available at this time. Additional updates will be provided as appropriate.

On Wednesday, August 19, 2026, at approximately 5:32 PM, the Bangor Regional Communications Center received 14 911 calls reporting a box truck driving erratically on I-95 southbound in Old Town. The truck was reported to have driven through the closed gate at the weigh station before continuing southbound.

Troopers from the area began attempting to locate the vehicle. Bangor Police and Orono Police were also notified to assist in locating the vehicle. At one point, the truck exited I-95 at Exit 187/Hogan Road in Bangor before getting back onto the interstate and traveling northbound. The truck then crossed the median and began traveling the wrong way in the southbound lanes. The vehicle corrected itself and eventually ended up in the Lowe’s parking lot in Bangor, where it was reported to be driving in circles.

The vehicle was finally located in the BJ’s parking lot, where the driver was taken into custody without incident. 36-year-old Julio Matos of Orange City, Florida, was taken into custody and ultimately transported to the Penobscot County Jail, where he faces charges of Criminal OUI, Driving to Endanger, and Failure to Notify of Motor Vehicle Accident. Further charges may be filed.

No injuries were reported. The Maine State Police would like to thank the Bangor Police Department for its assistance at the scene where the truck was located.

On Wednesday, August 19, 2026, at approximately 8:53 AM, members of the Rumford Police Department responded to a residence on Franklin Street for a well-being check. Upon arrival, officers located an adult male and an adult female deceased inside the residence. Rumford Police requested assistance from the Maine State Police Major Crimes Unit South. Detectives and members of the Maine State Police Evidence Response Team responded to the scene and began an investigation.

The deceased individuals will be transported to the Office of Chief Medical Examiner in Augusta, where autopsies will be conducted to confirm their identities and determine the cause and manner of death.

The investigation remains active and ongoing. There is no danger to the public, and additional information will be released when appropriate.

On Sunday, August 16, 2026,at approximately 7:19 PM, the Piscataquis County Sheriff’s Office requested assistance from the Maine State Police with an investigation related to an apparent assault on Pine Street in Guilford. The Piscataquis County Sheriff’s Office responded to 24 Pine Street for a wellbeing check and moments later located two seriously injured adults inside a neighboring residence at 26 Pine Street. An adult male, identified as 63-year-old Brent Doore and adult female were transported to the hospital. Brent Doore died from his injuries while being transported to the hospital. The female remains hospitalized in critical condition. Due to the facts and circumstances of the case, the Maine State Police Major Crimes Unit – North was assigned to provide assistance to the Piscataquis County Sheriff’s Office. Throughout the evening and overnight hours, the Piscataquis County Sheriff’s Office, Office of Chief Medical Examiner, Maine State Police Major Crimes Unit – North and other law enforcement partners worked to further the investigation. Due to the nature of the crimes, the Maine State Police Major Crimes Unit – North will take the lead on the investigation moving forward, with the Piscataquis County Sheriff’s Office remaining involved as a key investigative partner. Brent Doore was transported to the Office of Chief Medical Examiner in Augusta, where an autopsy was conducted on Monday, August 17, 2026, where the cause of death was determined to be multiple sharp force injuries, and the manner of death was ruled a homicide. 

As a result of the investigation, 49-year-old Ryan Carleton of Guilford was taken into custody by the Piscataquis County Sheriff’s Office on the charge of Aggravated Assault. Carleton’s charges were elevated to Murder during his initial court appearance on Tuesday, August 18, 2026, at the Piscataquis County Judicial Center. Carleton is currently being held at the Piscataquis County Jail.

Anyone with relevant information related to this case is asked to contact the Maine State Police at 207-973-3700, ext. 9, and ask to speak with Det. Jacob Ferland.

Information related to this case may also be submitted to the Major Crimes Unit – North via an on-line tip portal. https://www.maine.gov/dps/msp/about/report-crime/major-crimes-unit-north