News Release

From the desk of Shannon Moss, DPS PIO.

The Maine State Police has issued a Silver Alert for 83-year old Claude Lamothe of Connor Township. Lamothe was last seen Saturday, September 24, 2022 at approximately 3:30 pm leaving Daigle Oil in Caribou. Lamothe who suffers from cognitive issues may be headed to the Augusta area. Lamothe is a white male, 5’ 11”, 200 lbs. with white hair and brown eyes. He is driving a white GMC 1500, Maine license plate 8749YN. If located please call 1-800-924-2261 OR 207-532-5400. 
 

Colonel John Cote has announced his retirement effective September 30, 2022 after 33 years of service with the Maine State Police.  Colonel Cote and his command staff team have lead the agency through some of the agency’s most high profile incidents and during trying times for the law enforcement profession.

Colonel Cote has accepted a position with Bison Transportation USA as their Eastern Region Director of Safety with Hartt Transportation Systems. 

“It has been an honor and privilege to serve as a Maine Trooper for over three decades.  I have worked with many outstanding people who will continue to make the Maine State Police a premiere agency dedicated to keeping Maine a safe place to live and visit.”  
 

From the desk of Shannon Moss, DPS PIO.

On Saturday, September 17, 2022 at  approximately 1:06 pm the Cumberland Country Regional Communications Center received a 911 call from the area of Lambs Mills Road in Naples. Shortly after the call the Naples Fire Department reported there was an unresponsive 2-year-old child at their station. Cumberland County Deputies responded and learned the child, a male, was struck in the driveway of a residence on Lambs Mills Road. Life saving measures at the fire department were unable to revive the boy and the child was pronounced deceased. Due to the age of the child, the Maine State Police Major Crimes Unit responded. The investigation revealed the father of the child was moving a pickup truck and camper trailer and unable to see the child when the child was struck.  The parents immediately grabbed the child and transported him to the Naples Fire Department. At this time names of all involved are being withheld pending notification of additional family members. 

This was a difficult scene for all involved. We urge the media to respect the privacy of the family at this time. 

UPDATE: Susan Hayes of Kittery has been safely located.

The Kittery Police Department is issuing a Silver Alert for 70-year-old of Susan Hayes of Kittery. Hayes was last seen at her home on Picott Rd in Kittery on Tuesday, September 13, 2022 at approximately 12:00 am. When her husband woke this morning at 5:30 am Susan was not home. She is believed to have wandered away on foot, her destination is unknown. Hayes, who suffers from some cognitive issues is a white female , 5’2”, 115 lbs., with gray hair and hazel eyes. Susan was last seen wearing blue jeans, a blue hat and ankle boots. If you have any information or see Susan Hayes please check well-being and call the Kittery Police Department at 207.439.1638. 

Thank you for your assistance in this matter.
 

# of School Visits conducted – 0

# of OUI Alcohol Arrests – 1

# of OUI Drug Arrests – 0

# of DV Arrests – 0

08-29-22

Trooper Jarid Leonard conducted a traffic enforcement detail on Route 3 in Trenton. Distracted drivers were stopped for manipulating a cellular device while in heavy traffic. Many of those motorists were issued summonses for using a handheld device while driving a motor vehicle.

Trooper Jarid Leonard is investigating a report in Brookton Township. It was reported someone kicked in the front door to a camp. Currently the investigation is ongoing.

08-30-22

On August 29, 2022, Trooper Leonard, Sergeant Ryan, and Corporal Taylor responded to Marden's in Calais. Sergeant Ryan responded to an alarm and found the front windows had been smashed in with a rock. While en route, Trooper Leonard found a male walking away from the scene on North Street in Calais. His name was David Dean (44) of Baileyville. Marden's supplied a photo of the suspect from their store video. David matched the description down to his clothing and facial characteristics. David was arrested and transported to the Washington County Jail for:

-             Burglary, Class C

-             Aggravated Criminal Mischief, Class C

-             Criminal Trespass, Class D

-             Theft by Unauthorized Taking or Transfer, Class E

Trooper Jarid Leonard conducted a traffic enforcement detail on Route 1 in northern Washington County. Distracted drivers were stopped for manipulating a cellular device while in heavy traffic. Many of those motorists were issued summonses for using a handheld device while driving a motor vehicle.

Trooper Steven Mahon arrested Brandon Summerson (31) of Jonesboro, for Operating Under the Influence of Alcohol after a traffic stop in Gouldsboro. 

08-31-22

Trooper Travis Chapman is investigating a theft of a Generac generator from a camp in Danforth. Currently the investigation is ongoing.

Trooper Jarid Leonard conducted a traffic enforcement detail on Route 3 in Trenton. Distracted drivers were stopped for manipulating a cellular device while in heavy traffic. Many of those motorists were issued summonses for using a handheld device while driving a motor vehicle.

Trooper Jarid Leonard conducted a motor vehicle stop in Trenton on Madison Hayward (21) of Trenton. Madison was charged for failing to register her motor vehicle and using a handheld device while operating a motor vehicle.

09-04-22

Sergeant Endre conducted a motor vehicle stop in Milbridge on Oscar Hughes (56) of Milbridge. Oscar was charged for operating after suspension and possessing a suspended driver’s license.

From the desk of Shannon Moss.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
AUGUST 31, 2022
CONTACT PIO SHANNON MOSS
Shannon.Moss@Maine.Gov

September is Safe Homes Awareness Month
 
   
A new law that took effect on August 8, 2022, will help Mainers safely secure their prescription drugs and firearms, and other dangerous weapons. The law which was passed unanimously sponsored by Senator Susan Deschambault, D-Biddeford, and co-sponsored by Representative Richard Pickett, (R) Dixfield establishes the Safe Homes Program. It will educate people on the importance of safe prescription drug and weapons storage. It will also make storage devices more affordable.

Maine has the second highest firearm mortality rate in New England. In 2020, more than 85 percent of gun deaths were suicides. That year, 154 Mainers were killed by firearms, including 132 who died by suicide. 

In 2021 there were more than 8,000 overdoses in Maine. 636 were drug deaths, a 20 percent increase over the number of Mainers who died from overdoses in 2020.

“During my final term as Senator I wanted to take action to help make Mainers’ homes safer.” Said Sen. Deschambault. “We need to educate Mainers on the importance of safely storing their prescription drugs and weapons inside their home. We also need to make storage devices more affordable. This law will make Maine homes and families safer.” 

“The knowledge and tools to keep and handle personal weapons and prescription drugs is a matter of safety for the individual and the community as a whole said, Rep. Pickett. “As a member of law enforcement for over 40 years, I have seen many cases where both the mishandling of weapons and/or prescription drugs has caused great tragedy to so many.”

The safe storage of weapons can reduce accidental gun-related deaths and keep weapons out of the hands of people who might plan to hurt themselves. The safe storage of prescription drugs can help reduce accidental or misuse of medication.

“The safety of our friends and family is of the utmost importance for all of us and we believe that a program like “Safe Homes” can provide the comprehensive educational space to make our loved ones safer from prescription medications and dangerous weapons,” said Department of Public Safety Commissioner Michael Sauschuck.

Last year, the legislature made storage devices more affordable by creating a sales tax exemption for devices specifically designed for securing firearms. The Safe Homes Program will provide grants for purchasing safety devices for the safe storage of prescription drugs and weapons, as available.  

Governor Janet Mills has also signed a proclamation declaring September Safe Homes Awareness Month as a way to raise awareness about the importance of safety in the home and the existence of the program. 
For more information on the Safe Homes Program please visit the Department of Public Safety's Safe Homes Website.

UPDATE: Stanley Flagg has been safely located. 

Thank you for your assistance in this matter.


The Fort Kent Police Department is issuing a Silver Alert for 81-year-old of Stanley Flagg of Fort Kent. Flagg was last seen on Sunday, August 28, 2022 at approximately 9:00 am. He is believed to have wandered away on foot from a location near his home on Franklin School Road. Flagg suffers from some cognitive issues and is visually impaired. Stanley is a white male, 5’10”, 165 lbs., with gray hair and blue eyes. He does wear glasses and was last seen wearing a dark gray or brown jacket. If you have seen Stanley Flagg or have any information please contact the Fort Kent Police Department at 207.834.5678

Thank you for your assistance in this matter.
 

# of School Visits conducted – 0

# of OUI Alcohol Arrests – 0

# of OUI Drug Arrests – 0

# of DV Arrests – 0

08-23-22

Sergeant Gavin Endre investigated a report of a family fight in Deer Isle. As a result of the investigation, it was determined that no charges would be filed, and no crimes had occurred.

Corporal Owen Reed investigated a two-car crash in Blue Hill that resulted in injury. The driver of offending vehicle fled the scene. A suspect has been identified and the investigation is ongoing. Hancock Sheriff Office assisted on scene and with the investigation of the crash. Blue Hill Fire Department and Peninsula Ambulance also assisted on scene.

08-25-22

Corporal Jeff Taylor and Trooper Steven Mahon responded to a harassment complaint in Sullivan.  All parties were warned for disorderly conduct. 

Trooper Jarid Leonard took a report of a family fight in Addison. A disorderly conduct and trespass warning for the property where the confrontation took place was issued.

08-27-22

Trooper Kim Sawyer summoned Jordan Whiting (30) of Bancroft for Operating After Suspension Infraction after stopping the vehicle on Route 1 in Danforth for a motor vehicle violation.

UPDATE: Joseph Dalessandrids has been safely located.
Thank you for your assistance in this matter.
 

The Bangor Police Department has issued a Silver Alert for 55-year old Joseph Dalessandrids of Presque Isle. Mr. Dalessandrids was last seen Monday, August 22, 2022 at approximately 2:49 pm leaving Northern Light Eastern Maine Medical Center in Bangor on foot. Mr. Dalessandrids has been hospitalized with a Traumatic Brain Injury since he was involved in a crash a month ago. Mr. Dalessandrids is a white male, 5’10”, 175 lbs., with gray hair and blue eyes. He was last seen wearing a dark blue T-shirt, blue jeans with a black belt and black sneakers. 

Anyone who sees Mr. Dalessandrids or has any information should call 911 or the Bangor Police Department at 207.947.7382

Thank you for your assistance in this matter.
 

# of School Visits conducted – 0

# of OUI Alcohol Arrests – 0

# of OUI Drug Arrests – 0

# of DV Arrests – 1

08-16-22

Sergeant Jeff Ingemi arrested Bobbi-Sue Kierstead (38) of Calais, for having an active warrant for her arrest after a traffic stop in Baring.  Kierstead was also summonsed for Violation of Conditions of Release for possessing alcohol.

8-17-2022

Corporal Owen Reed responded to a noise complaint in Deer Isle. Investigation revealed that no crimes had been committed and parties had already separated before the police arrived.

Corporal Owen Reed responded to a single vehicle crash on the Caterpillar Hill Road in Sedgwick. It was determined that the driver Steven Morey (30) of Stonington had been fatigued and drifted left across the centerline. His vehicle left the roadway and crashed into a tree. No injuries were reported, and no charges were filed based on the investigation on scene.

08-18-2022

Trooper Jarid Leonard stopped a vehicle in Machias for passenger not being secured with a seatbelt. As a result of the stop, it was determined that the driver of the vehicle Aaron Richardson (29) of Machias did not hold a valid driver’s license. He was issued a summonsed for Operating a Motor Vehicle Without a Driver’s License.

08-19-2022

Corporal Owen Reed and Sergeant Gavin Endre responded to a two-vehicle crash on the North Deer Isle Road in Deer Isle. The investigation revealed that a vehicle operated by Juliet Lesser (68) of Deer Isle crossed the centerline and hit a vehicle operated by John Madura (52) of Sedgwick head on. Two passengers in Madura’s vehicle were injured in the crash.  All but one occupant of both vehicles was transported by ambulance to the hospital. Sedgwick, Deer Isle and Stonington Fire Departments, Peninsula Ambulance and Memorial Ambulance assisted on scene.

08-20-22

Trooper Steven Mahon responded to a criminal mischief complaint in T16 MD BPP where construction equipment was tampered with.  Forestry assisted.  Investigation continues.

08-21-22

Corporal Blaine Silk arrested Matthew Seavey (31) of Hancock for Violating Conditions of Release after being found intoxicated at his parent’s residence in Hancock.

Corporal Jeffrey Taylor responded to a property damage complaint in Deblois where a Kubota blueberry harvester and a flatbed blueberry transport truck had been damaged over the night. The Kubota sustained significant damage to the windshield and cab body. The flatbed had a rock thrown through the windshield. Investigation continues.