Bar Harbor and Mount Desert Police Log
State Police Press Releases
BAR HARBOR—The following incidents occurred in Bar Harbor last week according to the Bar Harbor police log, which is publicly released information.
Monday, November 27, 2023
While on patrol in Mount Desert, Officer Ted Cake located a tree that had fallen onto some power lines. Officer Cake placed traffic cones around the area and notified Versant Power about the issue.
Mental Health Liaison (MHL) Melissa Tozier followed up with a Bar Harbor resident after the resident experienced a mental health crisis.
MHL Tozier met with a person in Bar Harbor to assist with some mental health concerns.
Tuesday, November 28, 2023
Officer Amie Torrey documented a report from a man in Bar Harbor that he was having issues with his friend.
Officer Caleb Mora took a report from a Bar Harbor woman who was reporting harassment from another Bar Harbor woman. The reporting woman just wanted it documented.
Lt. Kevin Edgecomb spoke with a woman in Mount Desert regarding a family civil issue.
Officer Kaleb Payson responded to an animal complaint in Bar Harbor. The complaint was ultimately handled by an animal shelter.
Officer Payson handled a 911 call reporting a lost hiker in Mount Desert. The lost hiker was located and given a ride back to their vehicle.
Wednesday, November 29, 2023
Officer Liam Harrington took a report of a suspicious person in Bar Harbor. No further information or disposition was given.
Officers worked a multi-day traffic detail in Somesville.
Officer Tim Bland checked on the traffic light at the intersection of Mount Desert Street and Eden Street, in Bar Harbor, after someone reported it not cycling correctly. Officer Bland found the lights to be working correctly.
Officer Bland took a report of fraud in Bar Harbor. No further information or disposition was given.
Officers arrested Vincent Lombardi, 51, of Bar Harbor, for alleged domestic violence assault. Lombardi was also charged with alleged violation of conditions of release and was transported to the Hancock County Jail.
Thursday, November 30, 2023
Officer Elias Burne responded to a mental illness complaint in Bar Harbor. No further information or disposition was given.
Officer Burne performed a well-being check on someone in Bar Harbor. Officer Burne gave the person a ride to MDI Hospital.
Officer Bland handled a civil complaint in Mount Desert. No further information or disposition was given.
Officer Jerrod Hardy assisted a detective from the Philadelphia Police Department who was trying to contact a resident of Bar Harbor.
MHL Tozier spoke with a woman in Bar Harbor who was reporting that the mailman was tampering with her mail. The woman stated that there was an incident between herself and the United States postal service worker that would provide motive. The complainant just wanted the information documented.
Officer Chris Dickens responded to a motor vehicle complaint in Bar Harbor on Route 3. Once the suspect vehicle was located, the driver was advised of the complaint and made aware that they should be more focused on driving.
Friday, December 1, 2023
Officer T. Cake spoke with someone at the Mount Desert Police Department regarding renter’s rights.
Officer Shelby O’Neil arrested Carolyn R. Housman, 61, of Bar Harbor for an active arrest warrant. Housman was transported to the Hancock County Jail.
Officer Nathan Formby disposed of some drug paraphernalia that was found by a person in Bar Harbor.
Someone in Bar Harbor called the police department to provide some information.
Officer Judson Cake conducted a well-being check in Bar Harbor. No further information or disposition was given.
Saturday, December 2, 2023
Sgt. Soren Sundberg took a call from a woman in Bar Harbor who was reporting a crime that occurred in another state. She was put in touch with the appropriate agency.
Sgt. Sundberg spoke with someone on the phone in Bar Harbor. No further information or disposition was given.
Officers responded to a family fight in Bar Harbor. No further information or disposition was given.
Sunday, December 3, 2023
A juvenile in Bar Harbor was charged with alleged domestic violence assault.
Officer Payson took a harassment complaint in Mount Desert. He spoke with the offender and warned them for harassment.Â
STATE POLICE PRESS RELEASES
These are the Maine State Police press releases from the last few days. Â The Bar Harbor Story will include this each week though most (and sometimes all) do not occur in Bar Harbor.
Maine State Police Investigating Deaths In Searsmont
On Monday, November 27, 2023, at approximately 1:50 p.m., the Waldo County Sheriff’s Office responded to a home on Borough Road in Searsmont where two adults were found deceased. The Maine State Police Major Crimes Unit-Central was called in to investigate. The deceased will be transported to the Office of Chief Medical Examiner in Augusta where an autopsy will be performed to determine the cause and manner of death. There is no risk to the public. That is the only information available this evening. Additional information will be released when it’s appropriate to do so.
On Monday evening November 27, 2023, and Tuesday morning November 28, 2023, autopsies were conducted on two individuals who were found deceased at a home in Searsmont. The individuals were identified as 50-year-old Amy Nickerson, of Stockton Springs, and 50-year-old Lance Lucas, of Searsmont. The Office of Chief Medical Examiner (OCME) has ruled the death of Amy Nickerson as a homicide. The cause of death was a gunshot wound. The OCME has ruled the death of Lance Lucas as a suicide. The cause of death was a gunshot wound. Nickerson and Lucas were domestic partners who had recently broken up. Detectives with MSP’s Major Crimes Unit-Central continue to investigate the sequence of events that occurred prior to and during the incident.
Maine State Police Investigate Homicide In Biddeford
On Friday, November  24, 2023, at approximately 2:10 p.m., Biddeford Police responded to a 911 call reporting a person had been shot at an apartment located on State Street in Biddeford. Officers arrived and removed a male from the apartment who died from his injuries. Maine State Police Major Crimes Unit South was called to respond to the scene. The deceased was transported to the Office of Chief Medical Examiner in Augusta. State Police Detectives along with officers from the Biddeford Police Department, Saco Police Department, and Old Orchard Beach Police Department worked throughout the night investigating the incident. On Saturday, November 25, 2023, an autopsy was conducted and the victim was identified as 27-year-old Ahmed Sharif, of Lewiston. His death was ruled a homicide. The State Police and Biddeford Police continue to investigate this isolated incident. Anyone with information is encouraged to call the Augusta Regional Communications Center at (207)-624-7076 extension 9.Â
On Monday, November  27, 2023, at approximately 6:30 p.m., the Maine State Police Tactical Team and Crisis Negotiation Team arrested 25-year-old Lorenze A. Labonte at his residence at 103 Temple Street in Saco. Investigators will be at the Temple Street residence throughout the evening executing a search warrant. Labonte has been charged with the murder of 27-year-old Ahmed Sharif, of Lewiston. Labonte will make his initial appearance in York County District Court on Tuesday, November 28, 2023.
Maine State Police Investigating Shooting In Saco
On Tuesday, November 28, 2023, at approximately 7:44 a.m., the Saco Police Department responded to a shots fired call at a residence at 103 Temple Street in Saco. Upon arrival officers discovered a woman who was suffering from a gunshot wound. She was transported to the hospital where she is currently in critical but stable condition. A portion of Temple Street was shut down today while Maine State Police Major Crimes Unit detectives conducted an investigation and evidence response technicians processed the scene. There is no danger to the public and the investigation is ongoing.
On Wednesday, November 29, 2023, Maine State Police Detectives obtained an arrest warrant for 18-year-old Ariana Tito, of Biddeford, for the attempted murder and elevated aggravated assault of 32-year-old Kayla Grant, of Saco, who was shot on Tuesday, November 28, 2023, on Temple Street in Saco.Â
Detectives from the Maine State Police, Saco Police Department, Biddeford Police Department, Old Orchard Police Department, New York City Police Department, Massachusetts State Police, DEA, and FBI worked throughout the week to locate Tito. On Friday, December 1, 2023, FBI task force agents located Tito in Brooklyn, New York and took her into custody. She was transported to Rikers Island. Tito will make her initial appearance in Brooklyn, New York, where extradition to Maine will be determined.
Maine State Police Investigates Death In Westbrook
On Tuesday, November 28, 2023, at approximately 1:38 a.m., a 911 call was received requesting help at 79 Mechanic Street, Apt. 6, in Westbrook. Officers with the Westbrook Police Department responded to the apartment and discovered a deceased male and the death was deemed suspicious. The Maine State Police Major Crimes Unit was called to assist. The male body was transported to the Office of Chief Medical Examiner in Augusta where an autopsy will be performed today. The Maine State Police and Westbrook Police Department continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the death. If you have any information, please call the Maine State Police at 207-624-7076.
On Wednesday, November 29, 2023, an autopsy was performed on a deceased individual discovered at an apartment in Westbrook Tuesday morning. The Office of Chief Medical Examiner in Augusta has identified the victim as 61-year-old Clarence James Pearson, of Westbrook. The manner of death has been ruled a homicide. The cause of death is not being released at this time. Detectives continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding Mr. Pearson’s death. Police believe this is an isolated incident but as always encourage people to remain vigilant and be aware of their surroundings.
On Monday, December 4, 2023, 36-year-old Deng Malual, of Portland, was arrested for the murder of 61-year-old Clarence James Pearson, of Westbrook. The Maine State Police, Westbrook Police Department and Portland Police Department continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the death, which was reported on Tuesday, November 28, 2023. An arrest warrant was issued today and Malual was located and arrested by Portland police officers at approximately 2:30 p.m., on Portland Street in Portland. The arrest was made without incident. Malual was transported to the Cumberland County Jail. The date and time for Malual’s initial appearance in court has not yet been set.
Maine State Police Investigating Death In Fairfield
On Tuesday, November 28, 2023, at 3:38 p.m., the Fairfield Police Department responded to a death at a residence at 247 A Main Street, in Fairfield. 62-year-old Edwin Weeks, of Fairfield was found deceased by a friend who stopped by to check on him. The Fairfield Police Department contacted the Maine State Police Major Crimes Unit- Central to respond.
Late Tuesday night during the investigation detectives attempted to stop a vehicle being operated in Skowhegan by 22-year-old Raheem Shamar Goodwin, of Benton. Goodwin, who was a person of interest in the case, was traveling towards Canaan on Route 2 where he intentionally drove his vehicle into a ditch. He then proceeded to barricade himself in the vehicle for a short time before lighting the interior of his vehicle on fire. Detectives assisted by the Somerset County Sheriff’s Office took Goodwin into custody after he exited the vehicle. Goodwin was arrested and brought to the Somerset County Jail in the early morning hours of Wednesday where he was held on a bail violation and charged with eluding.
On Wednesday, November 29, 2023, the Office of Chief Medical Examiner in Augusta conducted an autopsy on the deceased. The manner of death was ruled a homicide and the cause of death was sharp force trauma. On Friday morning, December 1, 2023, Major Crimes Unit Detectives charged Goodwin with Murder. Goodwin and Weeks were familiar with each other. The investigation is ongoing.
Wrong Way Triple Fatal Crash On Turnpike
On Wednesday, November 29, 2023, at approximately 9:40 p.m., the Augusta Regional Communications Center received several reports of a wrong-way vehicle traveling on the turnpike southbound at a high rate of speed in the northbound lane in the area of mile marker 48 in Portland. The wrong-way vehicle was a grey 2018 Honda Civic sedan. The initial investigation indicates the wrong way driver struck a silver 2020 Ford F-150 pickup truck that was traveling northbound on the turnpike. The driver of the pickup truck was not injured and reported only minor vehicle damage.
Shortly after hitting the pickup truck, the wrong-way driver struck a black 2013 Toyota Rav4 head-on. The head-on crash was in the left northbound lane in the area of mile 45. Upon impact, both vehicles caught on fire and became fully engulfed. The operator of the Toyota Rav4 was the sole occupant of the vehicle who was deceased upon emergency responders’ arrival. Both of the occupants in the wrong-way vehicle were also deceased upon arrival.
The triple fatality crash continues to be investigated by the Maine State Police in collaboration with the Office of Chief Medical Examiner in Augusta who will identify the three occupants of the vehicles involved. The Turnpike was closed north of exit 45 for approximately two hours. South Portland and Scarborough Fire Departments and the Maine Turnpike Authority assisted on scene.
The Office of Chief Medical Examiner (OCME) in Augusta has officially identified three individuals involved in the triple fatal crash that happened on the Turnpike in the area of mile 45 in Portland on Wednesday, November 29, 2023. The male driver of the wrong-way vehicle, the gray 2018 Honda Civic, has officially been identified as 23-year-old Brandon Crawford-Adams, of Old Orchard Beach. The female passenger in the gray 2018 Honda Civic, has been identified as 22-year-old Julia Chapdelaine, of Dudley, Massachusetts. The female driver of the black 2013 Toyota Rav4 has been identified as 33-year-old Alpha Anastacio, of Portland. The cause of the crash remains under investigation.
Rollover Crash In Etna
On Thursday, November 30, 2023, at approximately 6:00 a.m., Troopers responded to a tractor trailer crash on I-95 at mile maker 164 southbound in Etna. The driver of the tractor trailer, 59-year-old Nelson Castrol, of Homestead, Florida, was traveling on the interstate when his vehicle left the roadway causing the tractor trailer to overturn onto the left median. The driver was partially ejected and pinned for about 1.5 hours before fire and EMS could get him out of the vehicle. Mr. Castrol was transported to the hospital with what appears to be non-life-threatening injuries. The cause of the crash is under investigation.
Fire Marshal’s Office Investigating Fatal Fire/Explosion In New Gloucester
On Saturday, December 2, 2023, at approximately 12:15 p.m., the New Gloucester Fire and Rescue Department responded to a fire/explosion at a home at 1342 Intervale Road in New Gloucester. The initial investigation indicates the homeowner was working on the home’s furnace when the explosion occurred. It was an oil-fired burner. The homeowner, 44-year-old Lado Lodoka was killed in the explosion. A family member was inside the home at the time and was able to get out safely. The fire is accidental. The investigation as to what caused the explosion is ongoing. New Gloucester Fire and Rescue was assisted by the Pownal, Gray, Durham, Auburn, and North Yarmouth Fire Departments. The Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office and an inspector with Maine Solid Fuel assisted on scene as well.
The Fire Marshal’s Office has determined the cause of the fatal explosion in New Gloucester on Saturday. It was a steam explosion caused by thermal runaway. Basically, the furnace became overloaded with fuel. Once it started to burn, it didn’t stop. This eventually built-up pressure in the boiler with led to the failure of the boiler which created the explosion.
The Fire Marshal’s Office would like to remind residents that when working on home heating systems it is recommended you seek out a licensed professional.