BAR HARBOR AND MOUNT DESERT POLICE LOG, HANCOCK COUNTY SHERIFF DEPARTMENT RELEASES
Many Fatal Fires and Murders but Luckily Not on MDI
The following incidents occurred in Bar Harbor last week according to the Bar Harbor police log, which is publicly released information.
Monday, November 20, 2023
Officer Troy Stanwood performed a well-being check on a resident Bar Harbor. The person was fine.
A woman called the police department to report that someone had stolen her handicap placard from out of her vehicle in Northeast Harbor.
An officer responded to a residence in Bar Harbor to do a welfare check and found the person to be all set.
Tuesday, November 21, 2023
Officer Ted Cake handled a motor vehicle crash that occurred on private property.
Mary de Koning, 32, of Maine, was driving a 2023 Toyota Sienna minivan south on the Knox Road in Bar Harbor when she allegedly went off the roadway and struck a mailbox. There was no personal injury reported and the minivan suffered minor damage to the front passenger’s side corner.
Joseph Cyr, 58, of Waldo, Maine, was driving a 2021 Dodge Ram south on Main Street in Northeast Harbor when Lewis Moore, 73, of Northeast Harbor, who was parked on Main Street in a 2012 GMC pickup, allegedly started to pull the truck out of the parking spot and it struck Cyr’s vehicle. There was no reported personal injury. Cyr’s vehicle suffered passenger side damage and Moore’s vehicle suffered front driver’s side corner damage.
Lt. Kevin Edgecomb assisted another agency in the town of Northeast Harbor.
Deborah Wilson, 73, of Steuben, was sitting in her 2022 Hyundai Elantra in a parking spot at 3 Center Street in Bar Harbor. Deborah Parsons, 61, of Bar Harbor, was driving a 2023 Chevy Silverado and pulled in next to Wilson. Parsons did not leave herself enough room to get out and when adjusting her parking position, she allegedly struck Wilson’s vehicle. There was no reported personal injury. Parson’s vehicle suffered only paint transfer and Wilson’s vehicle suffered a dent in the fender and a bumper crack.
Officer Kaleb Payson responded to a complaint of suspicious activity in Bar Harbor and after investigation, determined that nothing suspicious had occurred.
Officer Payson located a disabled motor vehicle in Mount Desert. Officer Payson contacted the vehicle’s owner who advised that the vehicle would be removed from the area in the morning.
Wednesday, November 22, 2023
Officers responded to a report of a gunshot in the area of Oak Hill Road in Mount Desert. Due to the time of day, it was suspected to be night hunting and the complaint was forwarded to the Maine Warden Service for further investigation.
Mental Health Liaison Melissa Tozier met with a resident of Bar Harbor at that person’s request.
Officers took a man into protective custody in Bar Harbor after receiving a 911 call. The man was taken to MDI Hospital.
Officer Elias Burne responded to MDI Hospital to assist with a patient.
Officer Burne gave someone a ride home from MDI Hospital.
Thursday, November 23, 2023
Officer T. Cake spoke with someone over the phone who had some questions in Mount Desert. No further information or disposition was given.
Officer Nathan Formby assisted the Bar Harbor ambulance crew with locating a patient. The patient was located and received medical assistance.
Officer Shelby O’Neil arrested Kevin A. Edwards, 40, of Bar Harbor, for alleged operating after suspension in Bar Harbor.
Officer Formby checked on a possible disabled motorist in Bar Harbor and found that the man was just standing outside of his vehicle smoking a cigarette.
Officer Formby investigated a complaint of gunshots in Mount Desert but could not locate the source of the gunshots.
Officer Judson Cake gave someone a ride home from MDI Hospital.
Friday, November 24, 2023
Officer Chris Dickens did a well-being check on a Bar Harbor resident and as a result made a referral for support services for the person.
Officer T. Cake responded to a motor vehicle complaint in Mount Desert but could not locate the suspect vehicle.
Officers responded to a report of an unattended death in Mount Desert and deemed that there was nothing suspicious regarding the circumstances.
Officer O’Neil gave someone a ride home from MDI Hospital.
Officer J. Cake received some information in Bar Harbor regarding a person who has dementia.
Officer Formby contacted someone who was having a mental health issue in Bar Harbor. No further information or disposition was given.
Officer Formby received a motor vehicle complaint in Bar Harbor but no officers were in position to locate the vehicle and the complaint was forwarded to the appropriate agency.
Saturday, November 25, 2023
Sgt. Soren Sundberg investigated a noise complaint in Bar Harbor and found it to be unsubstantiated.
Officer Dickens responded to a motor vehicle complaint of a speeding vehicle on Sound Drive in Northeast Harbor but the vehicle was not located.
Officer O’Neil received information in Bar Harbor regarding a “cultural concert.” No further information or disposition was given.
Lt. Edgecomb fingerprinted someone in Mount Desert for employment purposes.
Lt. Edgecomb assisted the Mount Desert Fire Department with a fire alarm in Seal Harbor.
Claire R. Shaw, 22, of Bernard, had parked her 2013 Volkswagen Jetta in a parking lot in Mount Desert. Margaret E. Burnett, 73, of Lamoine was attempting to park her 2011 Toyota Highlander next to Shaw’s vehicle and allegedly struck Shaw’s vehicle pulling in. Burnett then backed out of the parking spot and allegedly struck Shaw’s vehicle a second time. There was no personal injury reported. Shaw’s vehicle suffered damage to the right rear passenger’s side door and quarter panel. Burnett’s vehicle suffered front bumper damage.
Deidre Rinaldi, 47, of Southwest Harbor was driving a 2022 Chevy Blazer south on Main Street in Somesville when a deer entered the roadway and was allegedly struck by Rinaldi’s vehicle. There was no personal injury reported. The Blazer suffered front bumper damage and the deer ran off.
Officer Caleb Mora handled a suspicious vehicle complaint in Bar Harbor. The vehicle owner parks his vehicle and rides his bike to work.
Officer Formby was advised of the smell of burnt marijuana at an apartment complex in Bar Harbor and was able to verify this odor to be present at the apartment complex. No further information or disposition was given.
Officer Liam Harrington took a report of suspicious activity in Bar Harbor. No further information or disposition was given.
Sunday, November 26, 2023
Officer Jerrod Hardy fingerprinted a man at the Bar Harbor Police Department for employment purposes.
Officer Mora responded to a motor vehicle complaint in Mount Desert. Officer Mora located the suspect vehicle but observed no egregious operation.
Officers responded to a report of a woman in a locked vehicle in Bar Harbor who was actively taking pills in an effort to overdose. Officers broke the vehicle’s window and removed the woman who was transported by ambulance to MDI Hospital.
Lt. Edgecomb spoke with a man in Mount Desert regarding a civil matter and advised the man to contact his attorney for more advice.
A Mount Desert resident reported being bit by a dog. No further information or disposition was given.
A mental health agency reported a suicidal man in Bar Harbor. He was located by Officer Mora and transported to MDI Hospital for further treatment.
STATE POLICE PRESS RELEASES
These are the Maine State Police press releases from the last few days. The Bar Harbor Story will include this each week though most (and sometimes all) do not occur in Bar Harbor.
Gorham Man Arrested For Operating Methamphetamine Labs
GORHAM—The Maine Drug Enforcement Agency and Gorham Police Department have arrested a Gorham man for manufacturing methamphetamine. This is his second arrest within the past six months for operating methamphetamine laboratories.
Matthew Cole, 37, of Gorham, was arrested and charged with unlawful operation of a methamphetamine laboratory and violation of conditional release (pending unlawful operation of a methamphetamine laboratory and possession of a firearm by a prohibited person charges from May 5, 2023).
Cole had been free on bail for drug, theft, and firearm charges.
On Sunday, November 19, 2023, at approximately 12:00 p.m., Gorham police officers responded to the area of 1 Church Street, the First Parish Congregational Church, after a concerned citizen contacted police about a man suspected of conducting drug deals.
Officers located the suspect, Matthew Cole, outside of the Church where the citizen had described. Cole had numerous backpacks, bags, and other items to include what officers recognized as “one pot methamphetamine laboratories,” both of which were in the active stages of the process of producing methamphetamine and next to the church’s outside wall. Due to the extreme chance of explosion and or fire, the area was evacuated for safety, to include the occupied church. Cole was subsequently arrested for possessing approximately 27 grams of methamphetamine.
The Gorham Fire Department was notified and responded to monitor the laboratories pending the arrival of the MDEA Clandestine Laboratory Enforcement Team (CDLET), a specially trained group of agents from around the state, trained to mitigate the danger of the labs and render them safe, as well as collect samples for evidence. Due to the extreme fire and explosion hazards associated with methamphetamine labs, agents are required to wear fire retardant suits and Air Purifying Respirators (APR) to avoid the toxic off gassing of the chemical process.
Lab team members arrived and mitigated the two labs, collecting evidence of the crime to include, lithium, Coleman fuels and other items utilized in the manufacturing process.
All toxic byproducts of the labs were turned over for destruction to the State’s Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) who responded to the scene.
Due to the ever-increasing availability of crystal methamphetamine from the Southwest border, one pot methamphetamine laboratory responses have become less frequent in the state from 52 in 2018, 35 in 2019, 8 in 2020, 2 in 2021, 0 in 2022, and presently 4 in 2023.
Cole was transported to the Cumberland County Jail. He is scheduled to appear in Portland Unified Court Monday at 1:00 pm.
All persons arrested are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
If you suffer with substance, use disorder, please call 211 or text your zip code to 898-211 for a list of resources available in your area.
If you have information about this investigation or the illegal sale of drugs in your community, you are urged to contact the Maine Drug Enforcement office closest to you or by texting MDEA to TIP411 (847411) or by calling the MDEA tip-line at 1-800-452-6457.
Maine State Police Investigating Homicide in Topsham
TOPSHAM—On Tuesday, November 21, 2023, at approximately 9:30 a.m., the Topsham Police Department responded to a 911 call reporting an assault at River Landing, an apartment complex located at 29 Elm Street in Topsham. The 911 call was made by an employee of the apartment building.
Topsham Police Officers arrived and quickly contained the scene. Emergency medical personnel also responded and determined that 64-year-old Christine Miller had died as a result of the injuries she suffered. 71-year-old Robert McClure was secured by officers on scene. Topsham Police contacted Maine State Police Major Crimes Unit Central. McClure was arrested by Maine State Police Detectives Tuesday night and charged with Murder.
An autopsy was performed at the Office of Chief Medical Examiner in Augusta on Wednesday morning, November 22, 2023, and the death was ruled a homicide. The cause of death was sharp force injuries. Both Miller and McClure had apartments at River Landing. McClure is scheduled to make an initial appearance is on Monday, November 27, 2023, in Sagadahoc County.
Maine State Police Investigating Death in St. Albans
On Wednesday, November 22, 2023, at approximately 2:55 p.m., the Somerset County Communications Center received a 911 call of a disturbance at 37 Hartland Road in St. Albans. It was reported that two males were fighting and rescue was needed. The Pittsfield Police Department, Maine Game Wardens, and Somerset County Sheriff’s Office responded to the scene as well as St. Albans Fire and Rescue.
When officers arrived one of the males was found to be deceased. Maine State Police Major Crimes Unit Central responded to the scene to investigate the circumstances surrounding the death. The deceased will be transported to the Office of Chief Medical Examiner in Augusta for an autopsy to confirm cause and manner of death. There is no risk to the public and the investigation is ongoing. Additional information will be released when it’s appropriate to do so.
The deceased has been identified as 57-year-old Harvey Elderkin, of Hartland. The investigation continues. No further information is available at this point.
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.
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 Sharif.
Labonte will make his initial appearance in York County District Court on Tuesday, November 28, 2023.
Fire Marshall’s Office investigates Fatal Fire in Sanford
SANFORD—On Saturday, November 25, 2023, at approximately 10:30 a.m., the Sanford Fire Department responded to a fire in a wooded area near 1 Eagle Drive in Sanford. Fire officials located the remains of an adult male and contacted the Fire Marshal’s Office to investigate and process the scene. The remains were located in a makeshift tent that was destroyed by fire. The remains were transported to the Office of Chief Medical Examiner in Augusta where an autopsy will be performed to determine positive identification. The cause of the fire is still under investigation. The Sanford Police Department and Maine State Police assisted on scene.
Maine State Police Investigate Homicides in Denmark
DENMARK—On Saturday, November 25, 2023, at approximately 2:00 p.m., Oxford County Sheriff’s Deputies were contacted to conduct a welfare check for two individuals at a home on Fuller Lane in Denmark. Deputies located both individuals deceased within the home and contacted Maine State Police Major Crimes Unit South. 53-year-old Tzara Jones of Denmark, the caretaker of the deceased individuals, was transported from the scene to a hospital for a medical evaluation.
The two deceased individuals were transported to the Office of Chief Medical Examiner in Augusta where autopsies were performed on Sunday, November 26, 2023. The victim’s identities have been withheld at this time pending next of kin notifications. Both deaths were determined to be the result of homicide. Jones has been charged with two counts of murder and transported to the Oxford County Jail where she will be arraigned Monday in Oxford District Court.
HANCOCK COUNTY SHERIFF’S REPORTS
The following are the reports from the Hancock County Sheriff’s Department. Some entires are duplicates occasionally because of multiple responses by different officers.
Wow, ok, so today I learned about one pot meth labs. In soda stream bottles! That's crazy. Also, it looks nasty, whatever that gunk it on top. It looks like dirt. Or bad kombucha.