Vehicle Pursuit

From the desk of Shannon Moss, DPS PIO

On Monday, February 14, 2022, at approximately 11:45 a.m., Maine State Troopers  were assisting the Auburn Police Department  with an attempt to locate 31-year-old Brandon Pelletier of Auburn who was wanted on numerous felony warrants. Troopers approached Pelletier’s vehicle with their blue lights activated. Upon seeing the Troopers Pelletier proceeded to ram one of the two cruisers and began to flee the scene.

Troopers were able to catch up to Pelletier’s vehicle and a pursuit began. Troopers along with the Androscoggin County Sheriff's Office pursued Pelletier throughout Auburn. During the pursuit Pelletier hit numerous vehicles who were traveling on the roadway. Troopers attempted numerous times to end the pursuit but were unable to, due to Pelletier attempting to hit their cruisers with his vehicle. The pursuit continued into Minot where Pelletier struck another vehicle. Troopers attempted to disable Pelletier’s vehicle again. Pelletier then swerved towards one of the cruisers, striking it and causing his own vehicle to roll over. Pelletier refused to exit the vehicle and a police K-9 was deployed to apprehend Pelletier.

Pelletier was transported to Central Maine Medical Center with minor injuries. Pelletier was wanted for multiple charges including robbery.  New charges stemming from this incident include driving to endanger, reckless conduct with a dangerous weapon, refusing to submit to arrest or detention by force, leaving the scene of a crash, criminal speed and numerous other traffic infractions. A search of the vehicle resulted in the discovery of cocaine and fentanyl. Androscoggin SO, Auburn PD, Mechanic Falls PD, Minot Fire and United Ambulance assisted the Maine State Police. 

Anyone that was struck by the offending vehicle is asked to reach out to Sgt. Chris Farley at the Maine State Police 624-7076.
 

From the desk of Shannon Moss, DPS PIO

On Monday, November 15, 2021, at approximately 4:05 p.m. a Maine State Trooper was on patrol on Rt. 1 northbound in Brunswick when the driver of a 2004 Range Rover passed him at speeds exceeding the posted speed limit by 30 MPH. The Trooper, operating a fully marked State Police cruiser initiated a pursuit based on the violation of criminal speed. 

The driver, 21-year-old Pasquale Lapomarda of Standish, continued northbound on Rt. 1 into the towns of West Bath and Bath reaching a top speed of 102 MPH.  

The speeds of the pursuit diminished however the vehicle was still failing to stop and entering heavy commuter traffic. Based upon the greater risk to the public Lapomarda was creating in Bath, the Trooper terminated the pursuit.

Lapomarda immediately slowed his speed and became caught up in heavy traffic while under the observation of the Trooper. Moments later, additional information was provided by State Police dispatch indicating that the same vehicle (by Maine registration plate) had multiple complaints of speed and erratic operation on I-295 in the Freeport a few minutes before it passed the Trooper.

Based on the new information, the Trooper initiated a traffic stop on the Range Rover. Lapomarda pulled over momentarily then sped off northbound toward Wiscasset. Through communication with Lincoln County Communications, Wiscasset Police were able to deploy tire deflating strips that flattened both rear tires on the vehicle. Lapomarda continued at slow speeds for about one additional mile when the car came to a stop on Rt. 1 in front of Big Als. Both Wiscasset Police Officers and Lincoln County Sheriff Deputies took Lapomarda into custody.   

Lapomarda was transported by ambulance to Brunswick Hospital for evaluation. Lapomarda was charged with Eluding an officer, Criminal speed, Passing a roadblock, and Reckless conduct.  
 

From the Desk of Shannon Moss, DPS PIO

On Monday, August 6, 2021 at 12:15 p.m. a Maine State Police Trooper attempted to stop a black 2016 Chevy Camaro on Interstate 95 at mile marker 149 southbound in Pittsfield for speeding, aggressive driving and false attachment of registration plates.

The operator, later identified as 46-year-old Kirk Grover of Wales, failed to stop and led Troopers on a pursuit where it exited the interstate in Clinton at exit 138. Troopers attempted to end the pursuit when the vehicle left the roadway but it was able regain control and continued to flee. The pursuit continued onto the Hinkley Road where Grover stopped on his own at the intersection of Hinkley Road and Canaan Road in Clinton. Kirk was found to have numerous active arrest warrants for Theft by Unauthorized Taking, Theft by Deception, Violation of Bail and Home Repair Fraud. He was out on bail conditions and had a suspended driver’s license.

The Camaro was determined to be stolen out of the city of Auburn two weeks ago when Grover took it for a test drive and failed to return it to the dealership. It was factory red, but Grover spray painted the entire vehicle black in order to conceal its original color. Kirk’s passenger 32-year-old Victoria Stockwell of Lewiston was uninjured during the incident. Grover was transported to the Somerset County Jail and has been charged with criminal speed, driving to endanger, eluding, operating on a suspended license, attaching false plates, and violations of conditions of release.

Maine State Police were assisted by Fairfield and Clinton Police Departments.
 

A Topsham man is facing multiple felonies after leading police on a high-speed pursuit from Kennebunk to York. 

On Jan. 12, 2021, law enforcement received approximately 6 calls regarding an erratic driver on I-95. Trooper Lee Vanadestine, saw the white 2002 Ford Super Duty pickup that was towing a U-Hail trailer. The trooper pursued the truck which failed to stop and continued at high rates of speed through three lanes of traffic. After witnessing the vehicle nearly strike other motorists, the Trooper attempted to end the chase by disabling  the trailer, but lost control of his cruiser and crashed into the guardrail on the median, disabling the cruiser and sustaining minor injuries.

Trooper Jarrot MacKinnon became lead on the pursuit. A Kittery police officer attempted to deploy spike matts to disable the vehicle, but was unsuccessful. 

A Kittery Police Lieutenant had parked in the mile marker 4.5 crossover in an attempt to assist in the pursuit. The truck rammed the Kittery Police Cruiser while the Officer was still inside. Kittery Police Lieutenant John Desjardins received minor injuries.

The driver of the vehicle was identified as David Stoddard, 49, of Topsham. He was taken into custody, inuring Trooper MacKinnon, and transported to York Hospital for non-life-threatening injuries. He will be charged with Elevated Aggravated Assault, Aggravated Reckless Conduct, Aggravated Driving to Endanger and Eluding. Lt. Desjardins, Tpr. Vanadestine, and Tpr. MacKinnon were all treated and released.