News Release

On Wednesday, June 11, 2025, at approximately 8:00 PM, Detectives from the Maine State Police Major Crimes Unit Central arrested 69-year-old Bonnie Coombs of Garland in connection with the April homicide of 78-year-old Velma Withee of Hartland. Coombs is the sister of the victim.

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On Saturday, April 12, 2025, at approximately 6:30 PM, the Somerset County Sheriff’s Office requested assistance from the Maine State Police Major Crimes Unit Central following the discovery of a deceased adult female at a residence on Canaan Road in Hartland. The victim was identified as Velma Withee. An autopsy was conducted by the Office of Chief Medical Examiner in Augusta on Monday, April 14, 2025. The manner of death was determined to be homicide, and the cause was gunshot wounds. Bonnie Coombs was transported to the Somerset County Jail, where she is currently being held without bail. This investigation remains active and ongoing. No additional details are being released at this time.

On Wednesday, June 11, 2025, at approximately 6:44 AM, Maine State Police responded to a report of a two-vehicle crash on Route 1 in Hancock.

While Troopers were en route, a second call was received reporting that one of the individuals involved in the crash had been struck by a dump truck at the scene. The initial investigation determined that 54-year-old Kevin Minnie of Ellsworth had been involved in two separate crashes in the moments leading up to his death.

Preliminary information indicates that Minnie was traveling at a high rate of speed while traveling westbound on Route 1 when he rear-ended a pickup truck, causing it to roll over and leave the roadway. The operator of that vehicle was transported to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Minnie continued driving westbound for a short distance before going in the opposite lane and striking the rear passenger side of a second vehicle on Route 1 in front of Tideway Market. That driver was not injured.

After the second crash, Minnie exited his vehicle and began acting erratically striking and jumping on several vehicles that had stopped at the scene. As a commercial dump truck approached the area, Minnie ran toward the passenger rear tire and was struck. He did not survive. Investigators believe Minnie was experiencing a mental health crisis that contributed to his behavior.

The crash remains under investigation by the Northern Field Troop with assistance from the Maine State Police Commercial Vehicle Unit and the Hancock County Sheriff’s Office.

On Tuesday, June 10, 2025, at approximately 7:13 PM, Troop G Troopers responded to a multi-vehicle crash at mile marker 13 southbound on the Maine Turnpike in York.

The initial investigation indicates that the driver of a red Mitsubishi Mirage struck a deer in the center lane and the vehicle became disabled. The driver exited the vehicle and moved to a safe location off the roadway, as the vehicle could not be moved from its position. Shortly after, a commercial vehicle carrying fuel crested the hill behind the crash scene and was unable to stop in time.

The truck struck the disabled Mitsubishi, causing it to be pushed into the median. The impact also caused the commercial truck to veer to the right and collide with a BMW crossover vehicle. Both the truck and BMW came to rest off the right side of the roadway.

Fortunately, only minor injuries were reported, and no one required transport to the hospital. The deer did not survive.

The crash scene required a temporary lane reduction, with southbound traffic limited to one lane for approximately one hour and fifteen minutes while the emergency response took place and vehicles were removed from the scene.

The Maine State Police were assisted by the Wells Fire Department, York Police Department, the Maine Turnpike Authority, National Wrecker Service, and Troop K Commercial Vehicle Enforcement.

The Maine Information and Analysis Center (MIAC), in coordination with the Federal Bureau of Investigation Boston Division (FBI), is sharing an important public safety advisory regarding the increased activity of violent online networks that are actively targeting minors and vulnerable individuals across the country and around the world. These networks operate on widely used platforms like social media, gaming apps, and messaging services. They exploit victims, many between the ages of 9 and 17, through manipulation, threats, and extortion, coercing them into acts of self-harm, animal cruelty, or worse. These disturbing images or videos are then used to further control, shame, or re-victimize individuals.

Key Warning Signs May Include:

• Sudden withdrawal, changes in mood or behavior

• Secrecy or fear surrounding online activity

• Unexplained gifts or digital currency

• Physical signs of self-harm or emotional distress

• Incidents like swatting or suspicious harm to pets

What You Can Do:

• Monitor online activity and talk with children about online safety

• Be cautious when posting images or personal information

• Watch for warning signs of grooming or online manipulation

• Report concerning behavior immediately

Report incidents to:

• https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ic3.gov%2F&data=05%7C02%7Cshannon.moss%40maine.gov%7Cf51eaf02f8e7479455e808dda4531645%7C413fa8ab207d4b629bcdea1a8f2f864e%7C0%7C0%7C638847398953347241%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=QA1qAiK0BQC3oC4kdw8xGB6dK12mpFq1Ad%2FrX2pUQHo%3D&reserved=0

• https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cybertipline.org%2F&data=05%7C02%7Cshannon.moss%40maine.gov%7Cf51eaf02f8e7479455e808dda4531645%7C413fa8ab207d4b629bcdea1a8f2f864e%7C0%7C0%7C638847398953374143%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=KoQMxqmDXRLUvzbOOsY1IK%2BZSJVZ0Xc3Wgo5w88NJgc%3D&reserved=0

• Or call 1-800-CALL-FBI or 1-800-THE-LOST

More resources for protecting children online: https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Ftakeitdown.ncmec.org%2F&data=05%7C02%7Cshannon.moss%40maine.gov%7Cf51eaf02f8e7479455e808dda4531645%7C413fa8ab207d4b629bcdea1a8f2f864e%7C0%7C0%7C638847398953388754%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=0py9%2BetXRn3GDQhZQ804mC8MeJjJvtYG%2Bjc8cb02pvA%3D&reserved=0

https://www.ic3.gov/PSA/2025/PSA250306

These networks rely on secrecy and fear. Awareness, early intervention, and reporting are key to prevention and protection.

On Friday, June 6, 2025, at approximately 9:11 AM, Troop G of the Maine State Police received a report of a two-vehicle crash on I-95 southbound near mile marker 3 on the high-level Piscataqua River Bridge. By 9:17 AM, a second call came in from a passing driver reporting a male individual who appeared to be attempting to jump from the bridge. Maine State Police, along with Kittery Police Department, Portsmouth Police Department, and additional Troop G units, responded to the scene.

Kittery Police officers made contact with the individual and were able to take him safely into custody for a mental health evaluation. Preliminary investigation indicates the man was experiencing a mental health crisis and had been driving to jump off the bridge when he was involved in the earlier crash.

Traffic on the bridge was impacted for approximately 30 minutes while officers negotiated with the individual and vehicles were removed. Both vehicles involved in the earlier crash sustained minor damage, and no injuries were reported.

On Monday, June 2, 2025, at approximately 5:10 AM, the Lewiston Police Department responded to a residence on Old Greene Road in Lewiston for a death investigation. At the request of the Lewiston Police Department, the Maine State Police Major Crimes Unit South responded to investigate. An autopsy was performed on Tuesday, June 3, 2025, at the Office of Chief Medical Examiner in Augusta.

The deceased has been identified as 42-year-old Melissa Donoghue of Lewiston. The cause and manner of death are being withheld at this time as the investigation remains ongoing.

There is no threat to the public. Additional information will be released when appropriate.

On Monday, June 2, 2025, at 5:10 AM, the Lewiston Police responded to a residence on Old Greene Road for a death investigation. The Lewiston Police Department requested the assistance of the Maine State Police Major Crimes Unit South. Both agencies began investigating the death of a 42-year-old female at the residence.

The deceased was transported to the Office of Chief Medical Examiner in Lewiston where an autopsy will be performed to determine cause and manner of death. The investigation is ongoing and there is no threat to the public.

More information will be released when it becomes available.

On May 23, 2025, at approximately 9:00 AM, the Maine State Police Computer Crimes Unit arrested 42-year-old Aaron Pinette of Hermon in connection to an ongoing investigation. He was taken into custody at his residence in Hermon and transported to the Penobscot County Jail.

Pinette has been charged with Possession of Sexually Explicit Materials.  This remains an active investigation, and no additional information is available at this time.

On May 17, 2025, at approximately 4:55 A.M., the Lewiston Police Department received a 911 call for a four-year-old with a gunshot wound to the head at 93 Pierce Street apartment number two. Lewiston Police Department, Lewiston Fire Department, and United Ambulance Service responded.

The four-year-old was transported to Central Maine Medical Center in Lewiston, where the child was pronounced deceased at 7:08 A.M. The child was transported to the Medical Examiner's office for an autopsy. The Lewiston Police Department requested the Maine State Police Major Crimes Unit South respond to assist with the investigation.

The Department of Health and Human Services was notified, per protocol, when there is a death of a child in a household. The cause and manner of death are pending. The Maine State Police Major Crimes Unit South, Lewiston Police Department, and DHHS are still investigating this case.

More details will be released as they become available.

On Friday, May 16, 2025, at approximately 8:45 PM, Troopers from Troop I responded to a serious single vehicle crash on I-395 at mile marker 1 in Bangor. The preliminary investigation indicates that 23-year-old Devon Ireland of Bangor, was driving a 1992 Mazda Miata westbound when he failed to negotiate a turn and lost control of the vehicle. The car went over the guardrail and came to rest upside down across both eastbound lanes of travel.

The passenger, 23-year-old Lauren McCann of Bangor, who does not appear to have been wearing a seatbelt, was ejected from the vehicle and sustained life-threatening injuries. Ireland also suffered significant injuries in the crash. Speed and alcohol are believed to be contributing factors.

Both occupants were transported to Eastern Maine Medical Center for treatment. Troop I was assisted at the scene by members of the Northern Field Troop. The vehicle was removed by Union Street Towing.

The crash remains under investigation.