Major Crimes

From the desk of Shannon Moss, DPS PIO

On Wednesday, February 9, 2022 at approximately 5:33 p.m., the Washington County Sheriff’s Office responded to 515 Leighton Point Road in Pembroke to a report of an unresponsive female.  When deputies arrived, the female was discovered deceased and the circumstances were suspicious.  Maine State Police Major Crimes Unit North and the Maine State Police Evidence Response Team responded to the residence to continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding her death.  The victim was later transported to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Augusta where an autopsy was performed on Thursday, February 10, 2022.  The victim has been identified as 53-year-old Paula Johnson of Pembroke.  The results of the autopsy has ruled the death to be a homicide.  Maine State Police continue to investigate and are asking for the public’s help.  If anyone has information about the death or saw anything on the Leighton Point Road in the last few days that seems suspicious, please call the Maine State Police dispatch in Bangor at 973-3700 and leave a message for Detective Adam Bell.

That is all of the information we will be releasing at this time.
 

From the desk of Shannon Moss, DPS PIO.

On Wednesday, January 26, 2022, at 10:17 p.m., the Houlton Regional Communication Center received a 911 call from a male, later identified as 24-year-old Joshua Prestwood of Easton, as he drove his girlfriend to the Northern Light AR Gould Hospital in Presque Isle. Prestwood alleged that his girlfriend was shot during a home invasion, and the unknown suspect fled the scene. The female victim was flown by Life Flight to Northern Light Eastern Maine Medical Center in Bangor with a gunshot wound.

Detectives from the Maine State Police Major Crimes Unit-North investigated the incident with assistance from MSP Troop F, MSP Evidence Response Team, and the Presque Isle Police Department. After several days of investigation, on Tuesday, February 1, 2022, Prestwood was arrested by detectives in Presque Isle. Prestwood was charged with Domestic Violence Aggravated Assault, Theft by Unauthorized Taking or Transfer, and Domestic Violence Reckless Conduct.

The victim’s name is not being released. Her status is critical but stable. 

The case remains under investigation.

From the desk of Shannon Moss DPS PIO.

 On January 16, 1993, Maxine Bitomski was murdered inside her Kittery home. Despite extensive investigative efforts, no one has been arrested for Maxine’s murder, yet. The Maine State Police has made recent progress in the case and is looking for people to come forward with information that will lead to the arrest of Maxine’s killer. On Thursday, January 20, 2021, detectives from the Kittery Police Department and the Maine State Police’s Major Crimes Unit held a news conference in Kittery along with Maxine’s grandchildren to talk about the developments and ask the community can help.  
  
Recently Seacoast Crime Stoppers announced a $10,000 reward for anyone who provides information that leads to an indictment and/or arrest of a suspect in the Maxine Bitomski unsolved homicide.

Since 1983 Seacoast Crime Stoppers has been funded solely by the generosity of the Seacoast community. Because of that support they have received thousands of tips that have helped law enforcement agencies solve hundreds of crimes.

“Seacoast Crime Stoppers is committed to making our community a better and safer place,” said President Scott Forte. “We offer our sincere condolences to the family and friends of Maxine Bitomski and are hoping that the $10,000 reward we are offering can help bring a resolution to the unsolved homicide investigation.
 If you have any information about the Maxine Bitomski case please visit https://www.seacoastcrimestoppers.com/submit-a-tip/ or call 207.439.1199. The reward is eligible for anyone who provides a tip that leads to an indictment or an arrest. Seacoast Crime Stoppers can only make rewards and efforts like this possible with the generosity of our community. Please consider making a tax-deductible donation to Seacoast Crime Stoppers today at https://www.seacoastcrimestoppers.com/donation”
 

  From the desk of Shannon Moss, DPS PIO

On Monday, January 10, 2022, Washington County Sherriff’s Deputies received information about an altercation that happened at a home at 69 Jim’s Head Road in Lubec. When Deputies arrived at the residence they discovered evidence outside the home that led investigators to believe something suspicious happened at the residence. The Maine State Police Major Crimes Unit was called in to investigate. Officers began looking for the homeowner 58-year-old Eva Cox and her boyfriend, 65-year-old Paul DeForest who lived at the home with Cox.  A search warrant was prepared and members of the Maine State Police Major Crimes Unit and Evidence Response Team began processing the scene to look for information that would help them locate the occupants and determine what happened at the residence.

On Tuesday, January 11, 2022, a larger search was organized that included Maine State Police, Washington County Sheriff’s Office, Maine Marine Patrol, and Maine Warden Service. A Warden’s plane and a State Police K-9 were also utilized in the search around Cox’s home. That investigation led to the discovery of a female victim found deceased locked in the trunk of a car that was located nearby the residence. The victim has not been officially identified but it is believed to be Eva Cox. The official identity will be determined by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner when an autopsy is performed in the coming days.

During the investigation, additional information was obtained that led investigators to seek an arrest warrant for murder for Paul DeForest.  DeForest was found to be at a residence in Warrenton, VA. Members of the Fauquier County Sheriff’s Department responded to that residence and negotiated with DeForest over the phone to come out of the residence and after a short time, he did.  DeForest was arrested without further incident. DeForest will be held on a fugitive from a justice warrant.

That is the only information we will be releasing at this time. For a booking photo please contact the Fauquier County Sheriff’s Department.

On Sunday, December 26, 2021, at approximately 8:52 pm, a 911 call was received from 47 Tranquility Lane in Perry reporting a male subject had been shot. Police officers from Pleasant Point PD and the Washington County Sheriff’s Office as well as EMTs arrived at the residence to find the victim, 50-year-old Jason “Cowboy” Aubuchon of Eastport, had been shot. Aubuchon was transported to Calais hospital where he was pronounced dead. The Maine State Police Major Crimes Unit was called to investigate the death. Aubuchon was transported to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Augusta where an autopsy was performed on Monday, December 27, 2021. The death was ruled a homicide. Members of the Maine State Police Evidence Response Team processed the residence while detectives continued to investigate the circumstances of the death. On Thursday, December 30, 2021, an arrest warrant for the charge of murder was obtained for 40-year-old Danielle Wheeler of Perry. Wheeler who was Aubuchon’s ex-girlfriend was located in Perry and was arrested without incident. Wheeler was transported to the Washington County Jail. Her initial appearance has not been determined. 
 

From the desk of Shannon Moss, DPS PIO

Maine State Police continue to investigate a death that occurred in Machias on Thursday, November 4, 2021. 
The Washington County Sheriff’s Office received a complaint of what sounded like gunshots near High street at approximately 12:24 a.m. on November 4, 2021.  The sheriff’s department responded to the area but did not locate any people or vehicles that seemed suspicious.  At approximately 7:52 a.m., a resident of High Street was leaving her home when she saw a deceased male on the lawn.  The police were called and responded.  The Maine State Police Major Crimes Unit was called and continues to investigate the circumstances of the death.  The victim is a 17 year old male from New York.  The victim was transported to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner where an autopsy was performed Friday, November 5, 2021. The death is being ruled as a homicide.  The police are seeking the public’s help.  If anyone has information pertaining to this situation or saw something in the vicinity of High street between midnight and 8 a.m. on November 4th, please contact the Maine State Police at 973-3700 and leave a message for lead detective, Det. Chad Lindsey.  The State Police are being assisted by Machias Police Department, Washington County Sheriff’s Department, Maine Warden Service, MDEA and USBP.  The Police do not believe there is an ongoing public safety concern.
 

From the desk of Shannon Moss, DPS PIO

On Tuesday, November 2, 2021 at approximately 12:07 p.m. Maine State Police Major Crimes Unit Detectives responded to 26 Oak Street Apt. 2 in Oakland at the request of the Oakland Police Department. 21-year-old Ashley Malloy called 911 to report her 14-month-old child, Karson Malloy was having a medical emergency. The child was transported to Inland hospital in Waterville where he was pronounced dead. After a preliminary investigation, State Police Detectives applied for and were granted a search warrant for the apartment the child and mother lived in. Inside the apartment, Detectives located  5.85 lbs. of fentanyl, 3.4 lbs. of methamphetamine, 1.35 pounds of crack cocaine, and $2,262 in cash and other items indicative of drug trafficking.

Malloy was charged Thursday, November 4, 2021, by MDEA with Class “A” Aggravated Trafficking in Schedule W drugs as a result of what was seized at the house. Malloy was arrested Thursday evening and released on unsecured bond.
The street value of the drugs seized was in the neighborhood of $700,000.

The drugs were turned over to the Maine Drug Enforcement agency while State Police Detectives continue to work with the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner to determine the cause of the child’s death. 
 

UPDATE: Recently another a Good Samaraitan donated an additional $2,000, bringing the reward to $12,000

From the desk of Shannon Moss, DPS PIO

On the evening of September 24, 2015 the Caribou Fire Department responded to a residential building fire on lower Lyndon Street in Caribou. After putting the fire out firefighters discovered the body of the homeowner 58 year-old Kenneth Zernicke.  Zernicke’s death was ruled a homicide after an autopsy at the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner’s Office, but the case was never solved. 

Zernicke’s home is located near a busy four-way intersection and Maine State Police detectives have always hoped someone saw something that would help with the investigation.

“It’s a small town and somebody knows what happened to my brother. I just want someone to come forward and do the right thing. I’m hoping this reward will help do that” said Zernicke’s brother Joe Bourgoine. 
Bourgoine has spent the past six years saving money to offer up a reward that he hopes will provide answers.

The reward being offered is $10,000. If anyone has information about the case they are asked to contact the Maine State Police.
 

From the desk of Shannon Moss, DPS PIO 

On the evening of September 24, 2015, the Caribou Fire Department responded to a house fire on lower Lyndon Street in Caribou. After putting the fire out firefighters discovered the body of the homeowner, 58-year-old Kenneth Zernicke.  Zernicke’s death was ruled a homicide after an autopsy at the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner’s Office, but the case was never solved. 

Zernicke’s home is located near a busy four-way intersection and Maine State Police Detectives have always hoped someone saw something that would help with the investigation.

“It’s a small town. Somebody knows what happened to my brother. I just want them to come forward and do the right thing. I’m hoping this reward will help make that happen” said Zernicke’s brother Joe Bourgoine who described Ken as an avid outdoorsman who loved to hunt and fish.

Bourgoine has spent the past six years saving money for a reward that he hopes will provide answers.
The reward being offered is $10,000. 

If anyone has information about the case they are asked to contact Detective Adam Bell at the Houlton Barracks, 207.532.5400
 

At approximately 8:51 am on Tuesday, September 21st, the Maine State Police received a call from an individual reporting the discovery of human remains at the solid waste facility on River Road in Lewiston.  Detectives from both the Lewiston Police Department and Maine State Police Major Crimes Unit – South responded to that location to interview witnesses and secure the scene. 

Officials from the Office of Chief Medical Examiner assisted in the collection of the remains with members of the Maine State Police Evidence Response Team.  A post-mortem examination on the remains is expected to occur in the coming days.  

Detectives and Evidence Technicians are expected to be at the facility on River Road for much of the day investigating the circumstances surrounding this discovery.  Detectives from both the Lewiston Police Department and Maine State Police Major Crimes Unit – South continue interviewing witnesses and other persons of interest at this time.  

The Maine State Police do not believe that there is any threat to the public and will share more information as it becomes available.