Chris Wharff Promoted to Captain
POLICE LOG: POLICE BUSY WITH CARS OFF THE ROAD AND CRASHES
BAR HARBOR—Effective December 31, 2023, Chris Wharff has been promoted from Harbormaster and Special Services Lieutenant to Captain of the Bar Harbor and Mount Desert Police Department. He replaces Captain David Kerns who was promoted to chief of the departments in November of last year.
Kerns said that he and Wharff balance each other out extremely well and that the entire department is supportive of where its going, the administrative changes and direction.
“I’m super excited about the direction the department is going,” Kerns said. “To have Chris as captain, in this position? It’s a natural fit,” Kerns said.
Kerns praised Wharff’s stepping up into working on the department’s day-to-day operations as Kerns was acting chief after former chief James Willis’ retirement. “He’s done a phenomenal job.” And the entire department has been supportive of the promotion, he said. “We work together so well.”
“I am excited about the opportunity to serve the town in this role and Chief Kerns and I are both committed to providing a high level of service to both of the communities we serve. I am thankful to work with such a wonderful group of people in both towns who strive to understand our communities and work hard every day to keep them safe,” Wharff said about his promotion.
Wharff joined the Bar Harbor Police Department as a seasonal officer in the summer of 2006 while still attending the University of Maine studying political science and government. While still being employed by Bar Harbor as a part-time police officer, he returned to school the following fall and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in political science and public administration.
Bar Harbor Finance Director Sarah Gilbert who was also the interim town manager for much of 2023 said,
“The citizens of Bar Harbor are so fortunate to have hired Chris Wharff as its Police Captain. His high level of professionalism and strong dedication to craft are the qualities that I admire most about Chris. He is an exceptional leader and role model!”
After graduating, the Town of Mount Desert had a full-time police officer position available so he went to work there in 2007 and stayed for two years. In 2009, when the Bar Harbor police Department had a full-time officer position available, Wharff applied for that position and was hired by Bar Harbor.
By February of 2022, when Lt. James Pinkham retired, Wharff had been a sergeant for a number of years and was promoted to lieutenant to replace Pinkham. That promotion led to him being the Special Services Lieutenant in charge of the harbormaster’s office and duties, as well as being in charge of parking enforcement.
Town Councilor Matt Hochman said,
"I have had the pleasure of serving with Chris Wharff on both the Parking Solutions Task Force as well as the former Cruise Ship Committee. His demeanor, his expertise, and his attitude towards serving the citizens of Bar Harbor make him a perfect choice to be second in command of our police force. I can't think of a more deserved promotion, and look forward to continuing to work with Captain Wharff in his new position with the BHPD/MDPD."
Mount Desert Town Manager Durlin Lunt agreed, saying,
“I was pleased that Chris was promoted to captain. I remember when he started as a patrol officer in Mount Desert. He will do a great job and it is nice that our combined department allows for a chain of promotion for talented people like Chris to advance their careers.”
Now that he has been promoted to captain of the combined department, Wharff said that for now, he will maintain oversight over the harbormaster’s office and parking enforcement but Assistant Harbormaster Chris Johansen and Parking Manager Scott Pinkham will be running the day-to-day operations of those departments.
Bar Harbor Town Manager James Smith said,
”We are very fortunate to see the promotion of Chris Wharff to police captain. I have no doubt he is ready to take on his new duties and responsibilities, as he is clearly ready for this challenge. In my short tenure here with the Town it has become very clear that Chris holds the respect of his supervisors, peers, subordinates, elected officials, and the general public.”
BAR HARBOR AND MOUNT DESERT POLICE LOG
The following incidents occurred in Bar Harbor and Mount Desert last week according to the Bar Harbor police log, which is publicly released information.
Monday, January 1, 2024
Patricia Sprague, 73, of Charleston, was driving a 2023 Subaru Forester north on Main Street in Somesville when she allegedly attempted to make a right-hand turn onto Sound Drive and struck a stationary sign in the median. There was no personal injury. The Subaru suffered damage to the front end and undercarriage.
Officer Nathan Formby conducted a well-being check on a person in Bar Harbor. The person was ultimately located by another agency but found to be just fine.
Tuesday, January 2, 2024
Officer Liam Harrington responded to a report of a boat trailer that was blocking a lane of travel in Bar Harbor. He placed traffic cones around the trailer until a tow truck could come and retrieve it.
Officer Shelby O’Neil received a report of a traffic control device malfunctioning in Bar Harbor. No further information or disposition was given.
Someone called the Bar Harbor Police Department to report some information.
A person went to the Bar Harbor Police Department to report some information regarding a non-reportable accident.
Officer Kaleb Payson took a lost dog report in Bar Harbor but could not locate the escaped dog. A short time later, the dog returned home.
A motorist made a motor vehicle complaint to the Bar Harbor Police Department but all officers were out of position to respond. The complaint was passed on to another agency.
Police took a report of a suspicious man and his vehicle on someone’s property but the man and the vehicle were gone by the time Officer Judson Cake arrived.
The Bar Harbor Police Department received information from another agency.
Wednesday, January 3, 2024
Officer Troy Stanwood provided emergency vehicle lighting for the power pole replacement project in Somesville.
Officer Tim Bland fingerprinted someone for employment purposes at the Bar Harbor Police Department.
Officer O’Neil performed a well-being check on someone in Mount Desert at the request of another person and found them to be okay.
After performing a motor vehicle stop in Bar Harbor, Officer Stanwood summonsed Michael Armstrong, 28, of Levant, for alleged attachment of false plates, class E.
Mental Health Liaison Melissa Tozier met with a person in Bar Harbor who struggles with mental health issues.
Officer Payson received some information at the Mount Desert Police Department.
Officer J. Cake spoke with two people who were having an argument in Bar Harbor. No further information or disposition was given.
Officer Mike Allen responded to a Cottage Street business in Bar Harbor for a report of the building being unsecured. There were no signs of forced entry and nobody in the building. The keyholders were notified and responded to lock up the building.
Officer Allen attempted to contact a construction company because its employee had left a piece of equipment running on the job site. Officer Allen could not contact anyone and being unsure of what the equipment was for, he left it as he found it.
Thursday, January 4, 2024
Someone went to the Bar Harbor Police Department to make a motor vehicle complaint. No further information or disposition was given.
Officer J. Cake attempted to locate a vehicle that was the subject of a motor vehicle complaint in Trenton and was heading toward the island but could not locate it. The complaint was made to the Maine State Police and passed on to the Bar Harbor Police Department.
Officer Allen responded to a report of an unsecured property in Otter Creek. Officer Allen was able to secure the property and notified the property manager.
Officer Allen performed traffic control while the Mount Desert Fire Department extinguished a fire inside of a residence in Somesville.
Friday, January 5, 2024
Officers responded to a report of a domestic incident at a Bar Harbor residence. The involved people were separated.
Lt. Kevin Edgecomb provided emergency vehicle lighting for the power pole replacement project in Somesville.
Officer Bland assisted the Bar Harbor ambulance with a medical call.
Officer Bland assisted MDI Hospital with a medical call.
Someone reported the theft of a computer in Bar Harbor. The computer was later found and had not been stolen.
MHL Tozier spoke with a Bar Harbor resident who was experiencing mental health distress.
When someone locked themselves out of their home in Bar Harbor, Officer Jerrod Hardy helped them get into the house.
Officer Allen served a Bar Harbor resident with a “notice of violation” on behalf of the Bar Harbor Code Enforcement office.
Officer Allen received information regarding suspicious activity in Mount Desert. The information was documented.
Cameron Colbeth, 36, of Swans Island, was driving a 2007 Volkswagen Jetta and was stopping at the intersection of Sand Point Road and Route 3 in Bar Harbor. Hilary Orr, 44, of Bar Harbor was driving a 2023 Volkswagen Atlas and was turning in front of Colbeth when she allegedly turned too sharply and struck Colbeth’s vehicle. There was no reported personal injury. Colbeth’s vehicle suffered damage to the driver’s side front fender and Orr’s vehicle suffered damage to the driver’s side front fender and door and the passenger’s side door.
A Mount Desert resident reported hearing a person in the woods near their home. Officer Allen checked the area but could not find anyone in the area.
Someone requested a well-being check on their friend who was supposed to be in Bar Harbor, but the person could not be located.
Officer Elias Burne investigated a harassment complaint in Bar Harbor that turned out to be a joke being played on the complainant by a friend.
Saturday, January 6, 2024
A man went to the Bar Harbor Police Department to complete his sex offender registration requirement.
Officer Hardy is investigating a report of a Bar Harbor hotel being vandalized with graffiti.
Officer Caleb Mora received a request for a well-being check in Bar Harbor but the requesting person contacted the individual they were concerned about and cancelled the request.
Officer Mora arrested Sandra Shaw, 72, of Bar Harbor, in Bar Harbor, for an active arrest warrant for failure to appear. Shaw was transported to the Hancock County Jail.
Officer Payson received a motor vehicle complaint in Bar Harbor but was unable to locate the suspect vehicle.
Sunday, January 7, 2024
Lt. Edgecomb spoke with a Mount Desert resident regarding the legal time for construction to start in the morning and advised them that it was 7 a.m.
A man reported people ice skating in Bar Harbor. No further information or disposition was given.
Sarah MacQuinn, 42, of Southwest Harbor, was driving a 2005 Subaru Forester west on Eagle Lake Road in Bar Harbor during a snowstorm and allegedly went off the road to the right, hitting several trees. Both MacQuinn and her passenger were transported to MDI Hospital for pain complaints. The Subaru suffered passenger side damage.
Officer Payson responded to a vehicle off the road in Mount Desert. Upon his arrival, he discovered that there was no damage to the vehicle and the owner had already called a tow truck to get the vehicle back on the road.
Officer Stanwood gave someone a ride home in Bar Harbor.
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.
Maine State Police Make Two Arrests in Illegal Marijuana Grows in Belgrade
On Tuesday, January 2, 2024, at approximately 11:00 a.m., in response to community complaints, the Maine State Police executed two search warrants at a residence on Guptill Road and a residence at Point Road in the town of Belgrade. In all, 2,300 marijuana plants were seized during the searches. Troopers arrested 44-year-old Yuequan Chen, of Massachusetts, and 66-year-old Li Min Chan, of Florida, who were both charged with illegal cultivation of marijuana and unlawful trafficking in scheduled drugs (500+ plants). Both are class B felonies. Chen and Chan were transported to the Kennebec County Jail. The investigation continues. This is the only information available at this time.
If anybody has information relevant to this case, please contact State Police at 207-624-7076. The Maine State Police were assisted by the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency, Kennebec County Sheriff’s Office, FBI, DEA, and Maine Office of Cannabis Policy.
Bomb Threat Leads to State House Evacuation
On Wednesday, January 3, 2024, a threat was emailed to the state email account of a State House employee. The threat was discovered at approximately 1:45 p.m. At that point, the Capitol Police temporarily shut down and evacuated the building. There were approximately 300 people in the building at the time. No one was injured. Two K9 teams from the Maine State Police Bomb Unit responded to clear the building. There were no explosives found and the threat was deemed to be a hoax. The threat was similar to threats emailed to state offices across the country. Assisting the Capitol Police was the Maine State Police, the Augusta Police Department, and the Augusta Fire Department.
Richmond Man Charged With Arson for Setting House on Fire
On Thursday, January 4, 2024, at approximately 7:03 a.m., the Richmond Fire Department responded to a fire at a home at 6 Arnie Drive in Richmond. Three people were home at the time of the fire and were able to get out of the residence safely. A cat did not survive the fire. The house is a total loss. Investigators from the Fire Marshal’s Office responded to the scene and their investigation determined that 40-year-old Robert Jolly, of Richmond, started the fire in the garage.
Jolly is related to the homeowners. Jolly has been charged with arson. He was transported to Two Bridges Regional Jail in Wiscasset. Assisting the Richmond Fire Department was the Bowdoin, Bowdoinham, Dresden, Woolwich, Gardiner, and Topsham Fire Departments as well as the Richmond Police Department, Sagadahoc County Sheriff’s Office, Maine DOT, and Richmond Public Works.
Maine State Police Investigating Crash and Electrocution Death in Frenchville
On Friday, January 5, 2024, at approximately 12:11 a.m., the Maine State Police responded to a single-vehicle crash on Airport Avenue in Frenchville. Initial investigation indicates that 20-year-old Landen Ouellette, of Madawaska, and his passenger 19-year-old Curtis Levesque, of Madawaska, were traveling west on Airport Road when Ouellette lost control of the vehicle, a 2015 Ford F-150, and went off the roadway striking a utility pole that took down power lines.
Ouellette and Levesque were able to get out of the vehicle on their own. After exiting the vehicle, Levesque started walking back to the truck, tripped on a downed power line, and was electrocuted. The Frenchville Fire Department and Madawaska Ambulance Service rendered aid to Levesque on scene but he died as a result of his injuries. In the process of trying to help Levesque, Ouellette suffered an electric shock. He suffered minor injuries and was treated at Northern Maine Medical Center.
Speed and icy road conditions are considered factors in the crash. The investigation is ongoing and this is the only information that is being released at this time. The Maine State Police were assisted on scene by the Aroostook County Sheriff’s Office, Presque Isle Police Department, Frenchville Fire Department, Madawaska Ambulance Service, Frenchville Public Works, and Versant Power.
Maine State Police Release Link To Documents Page For Lewiston Mass Shooting Event
The 911 transcripts related to the Lewiston mass shooting investigation can be located on the website below. There are 51 transcripts of emergency calls that came into three communication centers on the evening of October 25, 2023. Records that have been designated confidential by Maine statue have been redacted.
We will continue to add additional documents and information to the website as they become available.
https://sites.google.com/view/lewistonmassshootingdocuments/home
HANCOCK COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT
The following are the unadulterated press releases from the Hancock County Sheriff’s Department. Because of the HCSO’s process, some entries may be doubled as they are reported by multiple officers.
This story was updated at 4:34 p.m., January 9, to include a quote by James Smith, and again at 4:55 to include quotes and information from Chief David Kerns.