News Release

Shortly after midnight on July 19, 2024, a Maine State Police Trooper was responding to a motor vehicle crash in Gardiner using his emergency lights and siren on the Maine Turnpike in Lewiston. A 2015 Ford Pickup truck operated by 24-year-old Javier Martinez, of Waterville swerved erratically into the Trooper’s lane making contact with the right side of the cruiser causing minor damage to both vehicles. No one was injured in the crash. Further investigation revealed Mr. Martinez was operating under the influence of alcohol.  Mr. Martinez was summonsed for OUI and released pending a court hearing.

In the early morning hours of Friday, July 19, 2024, a Maine State Police Trooper was concluding a traffic stop on Rt. 1 in Gouldsboro and had just gotten back into his cruiser with the lights still activated when his cruiser was sideswiped by a 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee.  The damage was relatively minor and there were no injuries to either party from the collision.  The driver of the Jeep, 71-year-old Andrew Pratt of Cutler has been the subject of several law enforcement interactions and traffic complaints. An adverse driving report was filed with Bureau of Motor Vehicles by a Trooper on July 4, 2024. Pratt was summonsed for improper passing of a stationary emergency vehicle and another adverse driver report will be filed from this incident.

On Tuesday, July 16, 2024, at approximately 2:00 PM, the Maine State Police became involved in a pursuit on Route 32 in Windsor. The driver of the vehicle, 39-year-old Jason Hewett of Augusta traveled north on Route 32 toward China, took Route 3 toward Augusta and in an effort to avoid spike mats placed on Route 3 in Augusta he drove into a ditch and onto the lawn of Nadeau Chiropractic and Wellness Center. Hewett then barricaded himself inside his vehicle. The Maine State Police Tactical Team and Crisis Negotiation Team responded. After four hours of negotiations Hewett surrendered and was arrested without incident. Hewett was transported to the Kennebec County Correctional Facility in Augusta. He is charged with Eluding an Officer, Domestic Assault and Manslaughter. Hewett is a suspect in the Cushing death investigation. The deceased will be identified once the Office of Chief Medical Examiner can make a positive identification and next of kin is officially notified. Assisting the Maine State Police was the Kennebec County Sheriff's Office, Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office, and the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency. Further details about the incident remains under investigation.

On Tuesday, July 16, 2024, at approximately 2:30 PM, Troopers from the Maine State Police Southern Field Troop responded to the Fairgrounds Pizza and Pub restaurant at 156 Maple Street in Cornish for a report of a man who had been shot in the parking lot. 44-year-old Eric Letendre of West Baldwin was shot twice and sustained non-life-threatening injuries. Troopers at the scene rendered aid, applying a tourniquet while waiting for rescue to arrive. Letendre was then transported to Maine Medical Center in Portland via Life Flight. 40-year-old Sean Ambrose of Canterbury, NH was arrested and charged with Reckless Conduct with a Firearm. He was transported to the York County Jail. Letendre and Ambrose were known to each other. The investigation is ongoing.

On Tuesday, July 16, 2024, at approximately 11:09 AM, the Maine State Police was notified of an emailed bomb threat directed at Ralph’s Café at 12 Purple Heart Hwy in Brooks, Maine. Troopers and K9 teams from the Maine State Police Bomb Unit responded to clear the building which was not open for business today. There were no explosives found at the location and the threat was deemed to be a hoax. The investigation is ongoing.

The Maine State Police Major Crimes Unit Central is investigating a death in Cushing. Detectives and Evidence Response Technicians were at 834 River Road on Friday, July 12, 2024, and Saturday, July 13, 2024, conducting interviews and processing the scene. The deceased was transported to the Office of Chief Medical Examiner in Augusta where an autopsy will be performed to determine manner and cause of death and positively identify the victim. At this point in the investigation a Cushing man has been arrested. 41-year-old Mark Gagne was arrested Friday, July 12, 2024, and charged with Hindering Apprehension and Abuse of a Corpse. Gagne was transported to the Knox County Jail and is expected to make his first court appearance Monday, July 15, 2024. The Knox County Sheriff’s Office is assisting. The investigation is ongoing. Additional information will be released when it’s appropriate to do so.

On Saturday July 13, 2024, at approximately 1:41 PM, Troopers from the Maine State Police Southern Field Troop responded to Rt. 5 in Limerick for a fatal motor vehicle crash. The initial investigation indicated that 30-year-old Christopher Mannion of Scarborough was operating a 2007 Honda motorcycle southbound on Rt 5 in Limerick when he lost control striking a guardrail. At this point speed appears to be a contributing factor in the crash. If anyone witnessed the crash, please reach out to Trooper Travis Doughty at 207-624-7076. Maine State Police was assisted on scene by York County Sheriff Office, Limerick Fire Department, and Maine Department of Transportation.  

The Maine State Police Major Crimes Unit is assisting the Lewiston Police Department with a death investigation. On Sunday, July 14, 2024, at approximately 10:30 PM, the Lewiston Police Department received a 911 call for shots fired at 77 Rideout Avenue. Upon their arrival they observed a deceased male in the road. The deceased was identified as 17-year-old Sahal Muridi of Lewiston.  The deceased was transported to the Office of Chief Medical Examiner in Augusta where an autopsy will be performed to determine cause and manner of death. Witnesses observed a silver Mercedes fleeing the scene as well as a black Dodge Challenger with a temporary Maine registration plate. The driver of the Mercedes has been identified and is cooperating with the investigators. The investigation is ongoing.     

On Tuesday, July 9, 2024, at approximately 12:06, Bangor Regional Communications Center received an automatic crash notification in the area of 789 Poplar St. in T3 Indian Purchase. Responding units arrived on scene and observed a vehicle off the road into the trees, and a deceased moose in the center of the roadway. The operator, 17-year Landon Gardner of Millinocket was found deceased. This was a single vehicle crash with a single occupant. Maine State Police was assisted by E. Millinocket PD.

On Wednesday, July 10, 2024, at approximately 10:51 AM, the parents of a 1-year-old boy called 911 to report their son was unresponsive. First responders arrived at the home on Vinalhaven and immediately began life saving efforts. The child was transported to Islands Community Medical Services on the Island and a short time later Maine State Police Major Crimes Unit Central was notified the child was deceased. The deceased was transported to the Office of Chief Medical Examiner in Augusta where an autopsy was performed on Thursday, July 11, 2024. Further testing needs to be completed before cause and manner of death can be determined. The parents of the child are cooperating with the investigation. No other information is available at this time.

On Tuesday July 9, 2024, at approximately 9:10 AM, the Maine State Police Southern Field Troop responded to a residence on July Street in Limington for an alleged assault.  Troopers discovered the homeowner 91-year-old Ronald McCarthy suffering from injuries to his neck. McCarthy was transported by Limington EMS to Maine Medical Center with serious injuries. The investigation revealed, McCarthy’s grandson, 34-year-old Daniel MacIsaac of Limington had stabbed McCarthy and fled from the scene. Troopers located MacIsaac and arrested him without incident. MacIsaac was transported to the York County Jail and charged with Attempted Murder and Violation of Conditions of Release. The investigation remains ongoing.