House Cleaner Mistaken for Residence Intruder
The Bar Harbor Story is generously sponsored by Swan Agency Real Estate.
BAR HARBOR—According to the Bar Harbor and Mount Desert Police Departments’ press release, on February 11, Officer Caleb Mora responded to a report of an intruder at a residence in Bar Harbor.
Officer Mora determined that the reported intruder was a house cleaner who was cleaning a rental unit.
BAR HARBOR AND MOUNT DESERT POLICE LOGS
The following incidents occurred in Bar Harbor and Mount Desert last week according to the Bar Harbor and Mount Desert Police Department police logs, which is publicly released information.
Tuesday, February 11, 2025
Officer Liam Harrington took a report of a parking issue in Mount Desert. No further information or disposition was given.
Sgt. Jerrod Hardy checked on someone in Bar Harbor at the request of a property manager and found everything to be all set.
Officer Mora transported someone to a “facility” in Bar Harbor at the person’s request.
Officer Mora performed a requested well-being check in Bar Harbor and determined that the subjects of the check were on vacation.
Sgt. Hardy took a report of harassing social media messages in Bar Harbor and advised the complainant to block the person sending the messages.
Officer Harrington responded to a medical call in Mount Desert.
A person was served a subpoena at the Bar Harbor Police Department.
Officer Justin Burnett assisted the Bar Harbor Fire Department with transporting someone to the hospital.
Officer Zack Kline responded to a reported civil complaint in Bar Harbor but the complainant stated that they were all set when Officer Kline went to speak with them.
After responding to a 911 call in Bar Harbor, Officer Kline arrested Michael L. Muldrow, 27, of Bar Harbor, for alleged domestic violence aggravated assault and alleged criminal mischief. Muldrow was transported to the Hancock County Jail.
Wednesday, February 12, 2025
Officer Burnett assisted a Bar Harbor resident with getting home from the hospital.
Officer Amie Torrey took a complaint from a Mount Desert resident regarding drones flying over her house.
Officer Harrington spoke with a Bar Harbor resident about some concerns the person had.
Officer Ted Cake arrested Paul Colbeth, 45, of Tremont, for alleged operating after suspension in Bar Harbor.
Thursday, February 13, 2025
Officer Harrington took a report of a vehicle off the road in Bar Harbor during a snowstorm. No further information or disposition was given.
Aidan C. Gordon, 27, of Bar Harbor, was driving a 2016 Toyota SUV west on the Crooked Road in Bar Harbor and the SUV slid off the road as he was going around a corner, striking a fire hydrant with the SUV. There was no reported injury, the fire hydrant was knocked completely off its base, and the vehicle suffered front bumper damage.
Christopher Lester, 50, of Southwest Harbor, was driving a 2020 Toyota Tacoma north on Route 102 in Mount Desert when the vehicle moved onto the right shoulder of the road and entered a skid. After traveling a bit farther, the Tacoma spun around and rolled onto its side. There was no reported injury and the vehicle suffered damage to the driver’s side. The vehicle was towed form the scene.
Officer Nathan Formby provided a juvenile a ride home in Bar Harbor.
Officer Formby received information from a person with mental health issues in Bar Harbor.
Friday, February 14, 2025
A juvenile from Sullivan was driving a 2012 Ford F-150 on Route 102 in Bar Harbor and allegedly failed to slow down for a 2016 Freightliner that was being driven by Edwin Fuller, 59, of Plymouth, Maine, who had slowed down for traffic in front of him. The Ford struck the rear of the Freightliner. The juvenile was transported to the hospital. The Ford had to be towed from the scene due to severe damage and the Freightliner was undamaged.
Officer Mora performed a well-being check in Bar Harbor and found the person to be fine.
Officer Troy Stanwood took a report of property damage in Bar Harbor. No further information or disposition was given.
Following a traffic stop in Bar Harbor, Officer Stanwood arrested Alexander Coombs, 23, of Bar Harbor, for alleged violation of conditions of release and alleged attaching false plates. Coombs was transported to the Hancock County Jail. The passenger, who was the owner of the vehicle, Kellee Moores, 23, of Bar Harbor, was summoned for alleged permitting the attachment false plates.
Officer Mora delivered sand to a Bar Harbor resident.
Officer Kline spoke to someone in Mount Desert about a civil issue between two roommates and advised the caller that he would document the circumstances but that this was a civil issue.
Saturday, February 15, 2025
Officer Stanwood delivered sand to a Mount Desert resident.
Officer Mora delivered sand to a Mount Desert resident.
Sgt. Doug Brundrett fingerprinted a woman from Southwest Harbor in Bar Harbor at her request.
After receiving a report of a probation absconder being in Bar Harbor, Officer Mora arrested Donald Murphy, 68, of Bangor, on a probation hold and transported him to the Hancock County Jail.
Mental Health Liaison Melissa Tozier spoke with a woman in Bar Harbor who has mental health issues.
A person who was wanted by law enforcement was reported to be in Bar Harbor to Officer Mora. The person was located a short time later in another jurisdiction.
Tyson Guthrie, 36, of Bar Harbor was driving a 2022 Ford pickup north on Main Street in Bar Harbor. Frank Gray Jr., 73, of Bar Harbor, was driving a 2015 Toyota Tacoma south on Main Street when the Toyota was sideswiped by the Ford. After hitting the Toyota, Guthrie’s vehicle then struck a third vehicle, a 2013 Honda Fit which was parked and unoccupied. There was no reported injury. The Ford, which was equipped with a plow, suffered scrapes to the plow gear. The Toyota was towed due to disabling damage and the Honda suffered functional damage to the driver’s side rear quarter panel.
The Bar Harbor Police Department and the Bar Harbor Fire Department escorted the MDI High School wrestling team from the head of the island to the high school after the team won the state championship.
Sunday, February 16, 2025
After receiving a complaint regarding a vehicle obstructing a roadway in Bar Harbor, Officer Mora contacted the owner to move the vehicle.
Officers responded to a Bar Harbor business in reference to suspicious activity. No further information or disposition was given.
Officer Stanwood provided a police ride-along in Bar Harbor.
Sgt. Brundrett assisted a motorist with a flat tire on the Cromwell Harbor Road in Bar Harbor.
Officer Stanwood summoned Vincent Abbott, 52, of Otter Creek, for alleged violation of conditions of release in Bar Harbor.
Conor Meyer, 26, of California, was driving a 2015 Toyota Tacoma west on Eagle Lake Road in Bar Harbor when the truck entered a skid due to road conditions and struck a utility pole. There was no reported injury and the truck was towed due to disabling damage to the front end.
Officer Kaleb Payson responded to a request from the Mount Desert Highway Department to have a vehicle moved for snow removal and found the vehicle to be gone upon his arrival.
Monday, February 17, 2025
Matthew Hudson, 35, of Gouldsboro, was driving a Town of Bar Harbor plow truck and plowing snow on Ash Street when his plow “got pulled by the snow he was pushing” and he struck a legally parked Subaru Crosstrek that had last been operated by Matthew Froh, 28, of Massachusetts. There was no reported injury. The town truck had no observable damage and the Crosstrek received damage to the driver’s side rear quarter panel.
Officer T. Cake spoke with someone in Mount Desert who wanted to report some information.
Officer T. Cake assisted the Mount Desert Highway Department with getting some vehicles moved for snow removal in Otter Creek.
Officer Formby assisted two people in Bar Harbor.
Following a traffic stop in Bar Harbor, Officer Formby arrested Lucas Turner, 45, of Bangor, on an outstanding arrest warrant and transported him to the Hancock County Jail.
Officer Shelby O’Neil assisted the Mount Desert Fire Department on a medical call.
SOUTHWEST HARBOR AND TREMONT
The following incidents occurred in Southwest Harbor or Tremont last week according to the Southwest Harbor Police Department police log, which is publicly released information.
Monday, February 10, 2025
After receiving a report of someone who does not have a driver’s license driving in Southwest Harbor, Officer James Kamorski attempted to locate the person driving but could not.
A Southwest Harbor resident took some property to the Southwest Harbor Police Department and asked the department to hold it for them.
Tuesday, February 11, 2025
After receiving a report of a loose dog in Southwest Harbor, Sgt. Ryan Blakeney responded and located the dog’s owner who was able to get the dog back home.
Sgt. Blakeney responded to a parking complaint in Southwest Harbor but the offending vehicle had moved prior to his arrival.
Wednesday, February 12, 2025
Sgt. Blakeney spoke with a Southwest Harbor resident who wanted to report and document some criminal mischief at their property.
Officer Kamorski spoke with a Southwest Harbor resident regarding an issue the person was having.
Thursday, February 13, 2025
Officer Kamorski responded to a request from the Southwest Harbor Highway Department to have a car moved for snow plowing and he was able to do so.
Hunter Campbell, 25, of Winslow, was driving a 2020 Kenworth T370 and making a delivery in Southwest Harbor when he backed the truck into the roof of the building. There was no reported injury, the trailer of the truck sustained functional damage, and it was unclear if the roof sustained damage.
Officer Kamorski responded to a report of a vehicle off the road and in a ditch in Tremont. but the driver was able to get the vehicle out on their own. Officer Kamorski met up with the driver and while they were shaken up, they were okay. There was no damage to the vehicle.
A Southwest Harbor resident reported a scam that they had been involved in to Officer Kamorski.
Friday, February 14, 2025
Officer Kamorski responded to a commercial burglar alarm in Southwest Harbor and found the building to be secure with no footprints in the fresh snow and no signs of a break in.
Chief John Hall responded to a medical call in Southwest Harbor but was not needed when he arrived.
Officer Kamorski responded to a complaint of a vehicle parked on the wrong side of Main Street in Southwest Harbor but the vehicle had left by the time he arrived.
Officer Kamorski assisted a Southwest Harbor resident with spreading salt on the person’s walkway and helping them get into their residence due to recent surgery.
Saturday, February 15, 2025
Officer Kamorski responded to a commercial burglar alarm in Southwest Harbor and found the building to be secure with no footprints in the fresh snow and no signs of a break in.
While on patrol in Tremont, Officer Kamorski came upon a U.S. Postal Service vehicle that was stuck on the side of the road. With the help of a passerby, the driver of the vehicle, Elizabeth Kellogg, 65, of Mount Desert, was able to get out on her own, but two mailboxes and a taillight on the postal service vehicle were damaged in the process.
Sunday, February 16, 2025
Sgt. Blakeney responded to a report of a person having a mental health crisis in Southwest Harbor. Sgt. Blakeney spoke with the person and they were transported to MDI Hospital for a mental health evaluation.
Sgt. Blakeney performed a requested well-being check on someone at a local business in Southwest Harbor and determined that they were fine.
Sgt. Blakeney conducted a keep the peace in Southwest Harbor.
Steven Harper, 69, of Tremont, was driving a 2016 Ford F-550 on the Clark Point Road in Tremont when he backed into Denise Hilton, 60, no hometown given, who was driving a 2025 Hyundai and was behind him. There were no reported injuries, the Ford had no visible damage, and the Hyundai sustained functional damage to the front driver’s side corner.
Sgt. Blakeney responded to a report of an altercation in Southwest Harbor and warned one person for disorderly conduct.
STATE POLICE PRESS RELEASES
These are the Maine State Police press releases from the last few days. The Bar Harbor Story will include these each week though most (and sometimes all) do not occur on Mount Desert Island.
MDEA and Portland PD Arrest Seven in High-Risk Search Warrant
PORTLAND—Over the past two months, Portland Police responded to over a dozen “calls for service” to 658 Congress Street, a multi-resident apartment building. The calls included, but were not limited to suspected drug trafficking, threatening display of weapons, to include firearms, and disorderly persons. Residents of the building and visitors reported being intimidated and harassed by groups of people who frequented apartment 402.
During this time, agents from the Maine Drug Enforcement’s Cumberland District Task Force were investigating illegal drug trafficking from apartment 402. During the investigation it was revealed the apartment renter, Bruce Cavallaro, and others were distributing illegal drugs from apartment 402 as well as the common hallways and the front and rear entrances of the apartment building.
The building’s landlord filed for and was granted a “Writ of Possession” from the Cumberland County District Court on February 2, 2025, as part of an official eviction of Cavallaro and others from 658 Congress Street, apartment 402. Cavallaro and others refused to vacate the apartment previously when evicted. Cavallaro was served the Writ of Possession on February 7, 2025, ordering him and others to vacate the apartment within 48 hours.
Based on the agent’s drug trafficking investigation as well as Cavallaro and others refusal to leave the apartment, and the safety of the building residents, a search warrant was drafted and issued for apartment 402.
At approximately 1:30 p.m., February 12, the Portland Police SRT made an initial entry into 658 Congress Street and safely secured apartment 402. During the entry, the seven people listed below were detained, subsequently arrested, and transported to the Cumberland County Jail without incident.
Bruce Cavallaro, 46, of Portland, for criminal trespass.
Bail set: Unsecured bail.
Michael Walbridge, 35, of Portland, for criminal trespass, unlawful possession of methamphetamine and violation of probation.
Bail set: No bail, probation hold.
Chanta Gaddist, 38, of Yarmouth, for criminal trespass, carrying a concealed weapon, and violation of bail.
Bail set: No bail due to bail violation charge.
James Williams, 50, of Portland, for criminal trespass and carrying a concealed weapon.
Bail set: Unsecured bail.
David Covington, 38, of Portland, for criminal trespass.
Bail set: Unsecured bail.
Monica Miller, 30, of Portland, for criminal trespass.
Bail set: Unsecured bail.
Erica Mathies, 25, of Portland, for criminal trespass.
Bail set: Unsecured bail.
A subsequent search of the apartment resulted in the seizure of quantities of fentanyl, methamphetamine, and crack cocaine, as well as additional evidence of drug trafficking.
The investigation is ongoing, and additional charges will be reviewed based on evidence seized during the search.
Assisting agents in this investigation and search warrant were members of the Portland Police Department, and agents of the Federal Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).
All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
The MDEA stands committed to working with all federal, state, county, and local law enforcement partners in order to continue to identify and disrupt drug trafficking organizations who are attempting to distribute illicit drugs like fentanyl, cocaine and methamphetamine in the State of Maine.
If you or someone you know suffers from 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.
Fire Marshal’s Office Investigating Fatal Fire in East Millinocket
EAST MILLINOCKET—On Wednesday, February 12, 2025, at approximately 9:12 a.m., the Fire Marshal’s Office (FMO) was requested to respond to 17 High Street in East Millinocket to assist the East Millinocket Fire Department with a residential house fire.
On scene, fire marshal investigators confirmed one person had died in the fire. The deceased will be transported to the Office of Chief Medical Examiner in Augusta for positive identification. The cause of the fire is under investigation and no further information is available at this time.
Fire Marshal’s Office Investigating Potential Carbon Monoxide Incident at Daycare in Kittery
KITTERY—On Wednesday, February 12, 2025, the Office of the State Fire Marshal (FMO) responded to assist the Kittery Fire Department following a carbon monoxide incident at Building Blocks Learning Center at 1 Route 236 in Kittery. Seven people were transported to Portsmouth Regional Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. At the time of the incident staff at the child care noticed an odor, and individuals began feeling unwell. The providers evacuated the children and staff and called the fire department. There was no alarm activation upon the fire department’s arrival.
Officials from the Kittery Fire Department, Kittery Code Enforcement, the Maine Fuel Board, and the FMO were on scene until after midnight gathering information related to the incident. In coordination with the Maine Fuel Board Inspectors, the FMO has operated the building’s heating system and found no concerns related to the emission of carbon monoxide. The FMO confirmed that the source of the carbon monoxide was a propane-powered concrete saw that was being operated in an adjacent suite and was not affiliated with the child care. That suite was under construction and the concrete saw had been operated throughout the day.
Propane-powered gas saws are not intended to be operated indoors and are often labeled to prevent use in unventilated space. Carbon monoxide from the saw’s exhaust likely infiltrated the daycare through an HVAC air intake duct that services multiple portions of the building. Another potential route of travel for the carbon monoxide was above a suspended ceiling that had been removed during the construction phase.
The FMO has confirmed that a construction permit was obtained through local code enforcement for the suite where the concrete saw was operated. The FMO also confirmed that a fire alarm system was installed in the building. Upon arrival the fire department reported the system was showing normal status, however, the detectors in the area where the concrete saw was operated had been covered. FMO Investigators have conducted dozens of interviews and still have additional interviews and investigative work to complete. They are also consulting with the fire alarm company to determine whether carbon monoxide detectors were present, as some smoke alarms and combination smoke/CO alarms are similar in appearance depending on the manufacturer.
State Fire Marshal Shawn Esler emphasized the critical role that the child care providers played in ensuring a safe outcome.
“It is important to note that daycare providers of the Building Blocks Learning Center recognized a problem and took action,” Esler said. “They evacuated children and staff to safety and notified the fire department as soon as they recognized something was wrong. Their quick response, the professionalism of the Kittery Fire Department, and the medical expertise of the Portsmouth Regional Hospital helped prevent a tragedy.”
The investigation remains ongoing.
Maine State Police Investigating Double Fatal on Turnpike
OGUNQUIT—On Thursday, February 13, 2025, at approximately 6:05 a.m., Maine State Police Troop G responded to a fatal motor vehicle crash at mile marker 14 southbound on I-95 in Ogunquit. The initial investigation indicates a tractor trailer unit owned by EW Logistics of Hauppage, NY, and operated by 35-year-old XIAOYING MA, of New York City, NY, was traveling northbound when he lost control and crashed through the median guardrail into two vehicles traveling southbound.
The first vehicle was a Cadillac sedan operated by 64-year-old Linda Huelsman, of Kennebunk, who died on scene from her injuries. The second vehicle struck was a Mack Box truck owned by EAN Holdings of Tulsa, OK, and operated 55-year-old Brian Ellis of Kittery. Mr. Ellis was transported to Portsmouth Regional Hospital but later died from his injuries. The driver of the tractor trailer was transported to York Hospital with non-life threatening injuries.
The Turnpike was shut down southbound at Exit 14 in Wells. Weather conditions are believed to be a factor in the crash. The investigation is ongoing and will be submitted to the York County District Attorney’s Office for review of any criminal charges.
Assisting the Maine State Police was the Ogunquit and Wells Fire Departments, Maine DEP, Maine Turnpike Maintenance, and National Wrecker.
HANCOCK COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT
The following are the public releases from the Hancock County Sheriff’s Department. Each image can be clicked on and expanded.
If you’d like to donate to help support us, you can, but no pressure! Just click here (about how you can give) or here (a direct link), which is the same as the button below.
If you’d like to sponsor the Bar Harbor Story, you can! Learn more here.