News Release

The Maine State Police is requesting the public's assistance in locating a wanted felon, Shain Johnson, who recently stole a vehicle and is wanted on multiple bail violations.

Johnson is known to stay on both Lisbon Street in Lewiston and Jackson Street in Sanford. He is currently wanted on seven (7) active sets of bail conditions for crimes including multiple felony thefts, multiple burglaries, illegal possession of a firearm by a prohibited person, and violating conditions of release. Johnson was alleged to be involved in numerous burglaries over the last few months.

Johnson is currently wanted for another felony burglary that he committed recently. While he was being sought for this warrant, Wells Police Department took a complaint yesterday where Johnson allegedly stole a vehicle. The stolen vehicle is a red 2000 Toyota Celica with aftermarket rims and a Maine registration of 7066XF.

Johnson is known to carry firearms, and should not be approached by the public. If anybody knows the whereabouts of Shain Johnson or the stolen vehicle, you are urged to contact the Maine State Police, your local Sheriff’s Office, or your local Police Department.

You CAN remain anonymous- https://www.maine.gov/dps/msp/about/report-crime/troop-a

or call 207-624-2076.

# of School Visits conducted – 0

# of OUI Alcohol Arrests – 1

# of OUI Drug Arrests – 1

# of DV Arrests – 0

05-17-20

Trooper Dana Austin attempted to stop a motorcycle for a traffic violation in Ellsworth.  The motorcycle took off at a high rate of speed and attempted to avoid being stopped. Trooper Austin located the motorcycle abandoned behind an apartment building in Ellsworth and shortly after he located the operator. As a result of the investigation, Jacob Hale (25) of Hancock was arrested for Failure to Stop for a Law Enforcement Officer, Operating Without a Driver’s License, and Driving to Endanger. Trooper Austin was assisted by the Hancock County Sheriffs Office and the Ellsworth Police Department.

Corporal Chris Smith assisted Washington Sheriff Office with searching for a missing juvenile in Eastbrook.  The juvenile was later located in Washington County. 

Corporal Chris Smith investigated a theft of a racing style jack off the steps of a residence in Sullivan. 

Trooper Kim Sawyer summonsed Gregory Candelmo (26) of Robbinston for Failure to Notify by Quickest Means after an accident in Robbinston.

05-18-20

Trooper Dana Austin stopped a vehicle for a traffic violation in Hancock, as a result of the investigation, Kimberly Gravelle (37) of Houlton was arrested for Unlawful Possession of Schedule W Drug, Operating Under the Influence of Drugs and Operating after Suspension. Kimberly was found to have Methamphetamine on her person and a further search of her vehicle located more Methapmetamine inside of it. Also located were empty drug baggies that were going to be used for the sale of illegal drugs. Approximatly 9 grams of Methapmetamine was located and also located was $5,959 dollars. The money is believed to be from drug proceeds. Trooper Austin was assisted by Sergeant Jason Sattler, Trooper Gavin Endre, and Trooper Joshua Lander.

05-19-20

Sergeant Jeff Ingemi summonsed Alexis Matos (21) of Pennsylvania and Harrington, Maine, for Operating Without a License after a traffic stop in Harrington.  Washington Sheriff Office assisted.

05-21-20

Trooper Kim Sawyer summonsed Shane Seavey (39) of Crawford for failing to notify owner of a property damage accident after he smashed a support post in Crawford.

Corporal Daniel Ryan attempted to stop a vehicle on Rt 15 in Penobscot for speeding 82/50.  The vehicle failed to stop and then a chase ensued.  After approx. 5 miles, the driver pulled over on Rt 1 just east of the Orland Big Apple.  The driver, SETH RIOUX (32) of Brooklin was arrested and charged with Eluding an Officer and Criminal Speed.

05-22-20

Trooper Miles Carpenter responded to Roque Bluffs for the report of a lost 12-year old child.  The child was located shortly after arrival.  The child had gone for a walk and got turned around in the woods. 

05-23-20

Trooper Kim Sawyer received a report that the house in Brookton had been burglarized.  The door was kicked in, BB’s shot through a window, they cut some pipes and flooded the basement and damaged his furnace, washer, dryer, & freezer.  There are no suspects at this time.

05-24-20

Trooper Caleb McGary arrested Joseph Meek (35) of Levant and Florida, for Criminal Speed and Operating Under the Influence of Alcohol after a traffic stop in Hancock.  Trooper Owen Reed and the Maine Warden Service assisted. Speed was 103-mph in a 55-mph zone. 

State Police say they believe the body found yesterday in Jonesport is 43 year old William Merchant, who has been missing for nearly 11 months. An autopsy was completed today at the State Medical Examiner's Office and no determination was made on the cause of the death because of the condition of the remains.  However detectives say there was no evidence of foul play.   Additional work will be completed by the State Police DNA Lab to determine Merchant's positive identification, however items found with the body indicate it is him. 

# of School Visits conducted – 0

# of OUI Alcohol Arrests – 1

# of OUI Drug Arrests – 0

# of DV Arrests – 2

05-11-20

Sergeant Tim Varney stopped a pickup for speeding 99 mph on Rt. 1A in Dedham.  As a result, Patrick Mullen (50) of East Machias was charged with Operating Under the Influence, Violation of Conditions of Release and Criminal Speed.

05-12-20

Trooper Dana Austin stopped a motor vehicle for a traffic violation in Hancock, as a result of the investigation, Kolton Eschete (24) of Eastbrook was summonsed for Operating after Suspension. Later in the day Trooper Austin observed Kolton driving the same vehicle and his driver’s license was still suspended. Trooper Austin stopped Kolton and summonsed him again for Operating after Suspension.

05-13-20

Trooper Dana Austin stopped an ATV for a traffic violation on the Centerville Road in Columbia Falls, as a resulf of the investigation, Kaleb Kenney (20) of Columbia Falls was summonsed for Operating after Suspension.

05-14-20

Trooper Blaine Silk responded to the White Birches in Hancock for a report of an intoxicated and disorderly male. Trooper Silk made contact with the male, Donald Therrien (25) of Addison. THERRIEN was extremely intoxicated and was using profanities and disturbing the peace. THERRIEN was escorted to his room and given a disorderly conduct warning. Several minutes later, THERRIEN emerged from his room and began yelling and disturbing the peace of residence in the facility again. Therrien was arrested for Disorderly Conduct and brought to the Hancock County Jail. Sergeant Timothy Varney and Trooper Travis Chapman assisted.

Sergeant Jeff Ingemi summonsed Craig Woodard (29) of Bucksport for False Swearing and Harassment by Phone stemming from an investigation in Penobscot County in December.

05-15-20

Trooper Travis Chapman observed a vehicle operating at 90 MPH in a 50 MPH area on Acadia Highway in Orland. A motor vehicle stop was conducted and the operator, Zachary Emery (23) or Orland was summonsed for speeding.

The Maine State Police is aware of a published complaint that includes allegations involving the Maine Information and Analysis Center (MIAC) and two valued leaders within our agency. As a matter of policy and on the advice of the Maine Attorney General’s Office, we will not comment on the specific aspects of on-going civil litigation. We would however, like to take this opportunity to express our confidence that our fusion center is operating in accordance with applicable laws, policies, procedures and best practices that safeguard people’s privacy, civil rights and civil liberties. 

We would also like to publicly express our full faith and confidence supporting both Lt. Scott Ireland and Lt. Michael Johnston. Both are experienced, well-respected leaders.   Lieutenants Ireland and Johnston are individually credited with many successful achievements and accomplishments in challenging commands and roles within our agency.  

The core values of the State Police are Integrity, Fairness, Compassion, and Excellence. We remain steadfast in our commitment to these principles, to our members, and to the citizens we are proud to serve. 

State Police have charged a man from Plymouth with robbing a convenience store in Corinna early Saturday morning (May 9, 2020).  43 year old  Mark Dunlop was taken into custody at his home early this afternoon.  He is charged with robbery and was transported to the Penobscot County Jail.  Troopers said the Somerset Sheriff’s Office assisted in the investigation, along with the Maine Warden Service,  and Dexter and Newport Police.

# of School Visits conducted – 0

# of OUI Alcohol Arrests – 3

# of OUI Drug Arrests – 0

# of DV Arrests – 0

05-05-20

Trooper Jeffrey Taylor summonsed Edward Libby (31) of Exeter for Operating After Suspension – Class C, on Rt 1A in Dedham.

05-07-20

Trooper Owen Reed arrested Jeremy Robbins (34) of Blue Hill for Operating Under the Influence of Alcohol after a traffic stop in Deer Isle. 

Trooper Owen Reed arrested Haley Brewer (25) of Deer Isle for Operating Under the Influence of Alcohol after she crashed her vehicle in Deer Isle.  Trooper Caleb McGary assisted.

05-09-20

Trooper Kim Sawyer summonsed Brian Cabanganan (42) of Houlton for Operating an Unregistered Motor Vehicle and for Violating Conditions of Release after a Personal Injury accident in Danforth.

Trooper Blaine Silk responded to an erratic vehicle complaint in Sullivan. Trooper Silk was able to locate the vehicle described in the complaint. As a result of the investigation Thomas Davis (49) of Trenton was arrested for Operating Under the Influence. Davis refused to give a breath sample. Trooper Travis Chapman assisted.

State Police is investigating an armed robbery early this morning at AE Robinson convenience store at 60 Newport Road in Corinna. Troopers say a young man armed with a handgun entered the store around 2:30 AM and demanded money.  The woman clerk refused to hand over any cash and ran into the store's office. That action scared off the robber and he fled on foot, likely on a nearby rail trail.  The clerk was not injured.   

The robber is around 30 years old, six feet tall and weighing about 220 pounds with blue eyes and dark hair.  He was wearing a black zip up hoodie with white strings, black Carhart winter hat, black face mask and blue latex gloves.  Troopers and Game Wardens continue to search for the robber this morning and have been assisted by the Newport and Dexter police departments.   Anyone with information is asked to call State Police in Bangor at 207-973-3700 
 

Subject arrested after producing fake lease agreement for Lebanon home.

On May 6, 2020, at approximately 12 noon, State Police out of Troop A responded to a possible burglary in progress at a residence on the Jim Grant Road in Lebanon.

When Troopers arrived on scene they found a female in the home that was identified as Christine Belanger, 29, of Acton. Belanger produced a lease agreement stating she was legally renting the residence from the owner.

Contact was made with the homeowner who resides in a different city. The owner stated she had never heard of Belanger and did not sign a lease agreement with her. It was determined the lease agreement was fraudulent.

Belanger was arrested for Criminal Trespass and transported to the York County Jail where bail was set at $100.

A Lebanon resident is facing charges for the third time in two months after being arrested on drug-related offense.

On May 4, 2020 Troopers in Troop A conducted a warrant check on Tianna Fermino, 21, of Lebanon, as she had an outstanding warrant from New Hampshire with New England Extradition for Violating her probation in reference to a drug offense.

Fermino was located hiding in a closet and refused to exit when ordered to do so. She was not cooperative, subsequently removed and placed in custody. While in custody she continued to be uncooperative and it was learned that she had snorted Meth and Heroin while hiding in the closet. Shortly after, she began overdosing and lost consciousness.

Troopers administered NARCAN, she began breathing again and regained consciousness. Fermino was transported by Lebanon Rescue to Southern Maine Health Care in Sanford where after being treated was deemed fit for incarceration and transported to the York County Jail where she was charged with being a Fugitive from Justice, Refusing to Submit to Arrest or Detention Class D and Violating Conditions of Release Class E.

Fermino is currently out on two sets of bail conditions stemming from the following offenses; Unlawful Possession of Cocaine Class C, Unlawful Possession of Meth Class C, Unlawful Possession of Fentanyl Class C, Unlawful Trafficking in Schedule W Drug Class B and Violating Conditions of Release Class C. Fermino is also on probation out of New Hampshire for a drug offense.

On March 8, 2020 Fermino was arrested by State Police with Unlawful Possession of Drugs Class C and Violating Conditions of Release Class E.

On April 7, 2020 Fermino was arrested by the State Police Unlawful Trafficking in Schedule W Drug Class B and Violating Conditions of Release.