Augusta

From desk of Shannon Moss

A motorcycle crash closed I-95 briefly while the occupants were transported to area hospitals with life threatening injuries. 

At approximately 1:50 p.m., Maine State Police from Troop C were dispatched to a motorcycle crash in the northbound lane of I-95 near mile marker 114 in Augusta. The motorcycle was carrying two occupants, a male driver and a female passenger, who have not been identified. Both were LifeFlighted to Portland. Both occupants were not wearing helmets.

Troopers were assisted by Augusta Fire and Rescue on the scene.

The cause of the crash is thought to be a mechanical malfunction. Both lanes were closed while the accident was cleared. 
 

The Maine Department of Public Safety is aware of the reports from the FBI about the potential for armed protests in every state capitol, including Maine, and takes them extremely seriously. 

The Maine State Police, through the Maine Information Analysis Center (MIAC), remains in contact with Federal partners – including the FBI, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and others – to maintain situational awareness about the potential for civil unrest activities. It is also tracking the potential for Maine-based civil unrest independently, analyzing intelligence and tips received, and will work with partners to respond appropriately and as needed. As of now, the Department of Public Safety, as a result of national reports, is specifically tracking and preparing for potential events in Augusta on January 17th and January 20th. The Maine National Guard is engaged in these planning discussions with the Department should additional support be needed. 
 
The Capitol building itself, which falls under the jurisdiction of the Legislature, is currently closed to the public and the Legislature is not using it to meet presently because of the pandemic. Furthermore, most staff from the Legislature, as well as those who work in surrounding State government buildings, are working remotely as a result of the pandemic. The Bureau of Capitol Police is the law enforcement agency responsible for protecting the safety of the State Capitol and the office buildings that comprise the seat of Maine’s government. It takes that mission seriously. In response to the events last week and new reports outlined by the FBI, the Capitol Police, with the support of the Maine State Police, has increased its presence in and around the Capitol. In the coming days, the Capitol Police will continue to adjust protocols appropriately, when and as needed, but, as a matter of longstanding practice, it does not discuss more specific operational details of its work. 
 
Our goal is to facilitate the peaceful and lawful expression of speech and to protect the welfare and safety of all Maine people, and we will continue to work to achieve that.
 

An Augusta man is facing charges after a Trooper clocked him travelling over 100 miles per hour. 

On July 9, 2020, at approximately 11:30 p.m., a Trooper from Troop D was travelling westbound on Route 3 in Augusta when a vehicle came up behind them travelling at a high rate of speed. The Trooper clocked the vehicle on radar doing 109 MPH in a 50 MPH zone. A brief chase ensued, ending on Anthony Avenue in Augusta. 

The driver, Nathan Hansell, 38, of Augusta, was taken into custody and charged with Operating Under the Influence, Criminal Speed, Possession of Schedule W Drugs, and Eluding a Law Enforcement Officer. Hansell’s bail was set at $2500 cash. 

An area man is facing charges for felony drug trafficking after a traffic stop in Augusta.

On March, 3, 2020, Troopers from the Troop C Barracks out of Skowhegan stopped a pick-up truck for a registration violation in Augusta. Immediately upon arriving at the driver’s side door of the vehicle, signs of criminal activity were noted as well as indications of the operator being impaired by alcohol.

Accordingly, the driver was removed from the vehicle and K-9 Tess was summoned for a vehicle search. Shortly thereafter, the driver was arrested for Unlawful Trafficking in Scheduled W Drugs for possessing 1.9 ounces of cocaine, as well as Operating Under the Influence (OUI). As of 03/04/2020 the matter is still under active investigation, therefore no names will be released at this time.