Man Walking Down the Street Caught With Police Department Traffic Cone
State police save goats on turnpike and other local police reports
The Bar Harbor Story is generously sponsored by Paradis Ace Hardware.
BAR HARBOR—According to the weekly Bar Harbor and Mount Desert Police Department’s press release, on Monday, June 16, at approximately 12:22 a.m., Officer Troy Stanwood located a man walking in Bar Harbor and carrying a Bar Harbor Police Department traffic cone.
Officer Stanwood warned the man for theft and an underage person consuming alcohol.
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, June 10, 2025
Officer Justin Burnett responded to a complaint of a man yelling at a child in Bar Harbor but failed to locate anyone involved.
Officer Burnett received a report of a suspicious person in Mount Desert but could not locate anyone suspicious.
Officers Stanwood and Kevin Edgecomb worked a security detail at MDI High School for the state class B track meet.
Officer Burnett took a report of a Mount Desert resident being threatened by someone in a vehicle near the construction site at the Asticou in Northeast Harbor.
Officer Burnett took a report of people parking at the head of the complainant’s driveway in Bar Harbor.
Officer Judson Cake warned an intoxicated man for trespassing at a campground in Bar Harbor.
Officer Zack Kline took a report of a missing 19-year-old in Bar Harbor and was able to locate the missing person and reunite them with their family.
Officer Lukas Keene responded to a report of an intoxicated man causing a disturbance at a Bar Harbor business. The man was transported to MDI Hospital by the Bar Harbor ambulance due to his level of intoxication.
Officer Kline is investigating reported vandalism to the community piano in the Gazebo on Bar Harbor’s Village Green.
Wednesday, June 11, 2025
A woman reported being harassed by a man in Bar Harbor. The woman only wanted the event documented and did not want the police to take any action.
Officer Caleb Mora summoned Aliyah Herrera, 20, of Bar Harbor, for alleged illegal transportation of liquor by a minor in Bar Harbor.
A second report of vandalism to the community piano in Bar Harbor was received.
Officer Keene assisted someone with locating their vehicle in Bar Harbor.
Thursday, June 12, 2025
Sgt. Soren Sundberg responded to a report of loose dogs on School Street in Bar Harbor but could not locate any dogs.
Sgt. Sundberg responded to a report of an abandoned vehicle on Federal Street in Bar Harbor and placed a 72-hour parking notice on the vehicle which has since been moved.
Officer Shelby O’Neil responded to a report of a person walking on a road in Bar Harbor who hadn’t made it very far in a two-hour period but the person was gone when Officer O’Neil arrived.
Sgt. Sundberg spoke with someone in Bar Harbor who was upset that a parking control officer had asked them to move their vehicle after stopping in a public way.
Officer Ted Cake assisted the Bar Harbor ambulance with a medical call in Bar Harbor.
Officer Liam Harrington assisted a Bar Harbor resident in crisis with accessing needed resources.
Friday, June 13, 2025
Officer Kline responded to Blackwoods Campground, while no park rangers were on duty, for a report of a disorderly man. Officer Kline warned a 34-year-old man from Brooklyn, New York, for disorderly conduct and notified Acadia National Park of the incident.
Officer Kline took a patient at MDI Hospital home to Mount Desert.
As a result of responding to a vehicle crash in Bar Harbor, Officer Kaleb Payson arrested Race Parsons, 23, of Bar Harbor, for alleged operating under the influence and alleged operating with a suspended registration. Parsons was transported to the Hancock County Jail.
Officer O’Neil responded to a complaint of two loose dogs in Bar Harbor and got the dogs back to their owner.
A man in Mount Desert gave Officer Edgecomb some information.
Sgt. Sundberg is working with the Asticou to manage parking at the construction site after receiving complaints about vehicles being unlawfully parked.
Officer Burnett responded to a report of kids painting a road in Bar Harbor but upon arrival discovered that it was only sidewalk chalk.
Officer O’Neil responded to a complaint of a loose dog in Bar Harbor and got the dog back to its owner.
Officer O’Neil is investigating a report of suspicious activity in Bar Harbor.
Officer O’Neil assisted a local Bar Harbor agency with transportation for someone.
After investigating a report of a theft from a Bar Harbor business, Vincent Abbott, 51, of Otter Creek, was summoned for alleged theft and two counts of alleged violation of conditions of release by Officer O’Neil.
Officer Burnett received a late report of someone yelling at a vehicle in Mount Desert.
Sgt. Sundberg is documenting the ongoing complaints regarding parking at the Asticou in Northeast Harbor.
Officer Burnett responded to a business alarm in Bar Harbor which turned out to be a false alarm.
Officer Kline assisted the Bar Harbor ambulance with a woman who was falling down in the town’s village green. The woman was transported to MDI Hospital.
Officer Kline is investigating the report of possible stolen necklaces from a Bar Harbor hotel.
Saturday, June 14, 2025
Officer Kline responded to a report of a disorderly woman walking on Cottage Street in Bar Harbor but could not locate the woman.
Officer Kline is investigating a report of someone possibly being drugged in Bar Harbor.
Officer Burnett is investigating a report of a camper at Mount Desert Island Campground in Mount Desert not paying their entire bill.
Officer Caleb Mora responded to a report of a man drinking in public in Bar Harbor but could not locate the man.
Officer Burnett responded to a motor vehicle complaint on Route 102 in Bar Harbor but could not locate the vehicle.
Officer Burnett responded to a motor vehicle complaint in Bar Harbor but could not locate the vehicle.
Officer Burnett removed debris from the roadway on Eagle Lake Road in Bar Harbor.
Officer J. Cake responded to a motor vehicle complaint in Bar Harbor, located the vehicle and could not observe any violations.
Officer Stanwood responded to a noise complaint in Bar Harbor and deemed it to be unfounded.
Sunday, June 15, 2025
Officer J. Cake took a report of s suspicious person at a business in Bar Harbor but it turned out to be an employee.
Officer Stanwood gave two people a ride home in Bar Harbor.
Officer Stanwood responded to a domestic dispute in Bar Harbor and arrested Jayne Bowden, 57, of Bar Harbor for alleged domestic violence assault, alleged criminal trespass, and alleged operating under the influence. Bowden was transported to the Hancock County Jail.
Monday, June 16, 2025
Officer O’Neil fingerprinted someone at the Bar Harbor Police Department for employment purposes.
Officer O’Neil gave someone a ride home in Bar Harbor from MDI Hospital.
Sgt. Doug Brundrett responded with the Mount Desert Fire Department to a motor vehicle crash on Peabody Drive in Mount Desert but the vehicles had already left the scene.
Sgt. Chris Dickens took a report of a possible business licensing issue. No town was given for the reported business.
Officer Payson gave someone a ride home in Bar Harbor.
Following a traffic stop in Bar Harbor, Officer Payson summoned Miles Sudlow, 27, of Tamarac, Florida, for alleged driving to endanger and alleged criminal speed after traveling more than 30 mph over the posted speed limit on Eden Street in Bar Harbor.
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.
Tuesday, June 10, 2025
In response to complaints of vehicles speeding in Seal Cove, Officer Rick Graham set up the Southwest Harbor Police Department’s speed awareness trailer and the department increased patrols in the area.
A Tremont resident reported that they had been visited by an energy supply company representative and that the person seemed strange. Officer Graham determined that the person was working for a legitimate company.
Wednesday, June 11, 2025
Officer Graham responded to a fire alarm in Southwest Harbor with the fire department. No cause for the alarm was determined.
A juvenile from Hancock was driving a 2013 Jeep Wrangler south on Route 102 when they allegedly allowed the vehicle to drift off the roadway and strike several small trees. There were no reported injuries and the vehicle sustained damage to the front end and both front fenders.
Thursday, June 12, 2025
Officer James Kamorski is investigating a report of a concerning letter that was sent to a Southwest Harbor business.
The Southwest Harbor Police Department was notified of the No Kings protest that was planned for and did occur on Saturday, June 14.
Officer Kamorski responded to a report of a disorderly person in Southwest Harbor and warned the person for disorderly conduct.
Officer Kamosrki responded to Tremont for a report of a person trespassing on property that they had already received a trespass warning for. Officer Kamorksi removed the person from the property.
Friday, June 13, 2025
Officer Bradley Russell responded to a report of an illegally parked vehicle in Southwest Harbor and issued a citation for the offense.
Officer Russell responded to a complaint of a cat in the backyard of a Southwest Harbor residence. Officer Russell was able to bring the cat back to the police department where the owners picked it up.
Officer Russell met with someone in Southwest Harbor to discuss a personal issue that the person was having.
Saturday, June 14, 2025
Officer Russell responded to a report of a deceased deer in the roadway in Southwest Harbor and made arrangements for someone to take the deer.
Two people visiting the area went to the Southwest Harbor Police Department to provide some information.
A Bass Harbor resident called the Southwest Harbor Police Department to report speeding vehicles. The complainant was advised that there would be increased patrols in the area.
Officer Graham responded to a Southwest Harbor apartment complex for a verbal altercation and warned everyone involved for disorderly conduct.
A Southwest Harbor resident reported that their neighbor was setting off fireworks. Officer Graham was able to locate the person setting off the fireworks and told them to stop setting them off.
Sunday, June 15, 2025
Officer Kamorski received a complaint of a stolen vehicle in Southwest Harbor and was able to locate the vehicle. It turned out to be a case of miscommunication between the vehicle owner and a friend and the vehicle was not actually stolen.
Officer Kamorski responded to a property issue complaint in Tremont and was able to resolve the issue.
Officer Kamorski responded to a report of an injured duck in Southwest Harbor but could not locate an injured duck.
After receiving a complaint from a Tremont resident regarding a family member making threats, Officer Kamorski responded and spoke to all of the involved family members who said that “they’re not too concerned.”
A Southwest Harbor resident made a noise complaint and Officer Kamorksi responded and asked the person responsible for the noise to turn the volume down. There were no further complaints that night.
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.
Fire Marshal’s Office Investigates Apartment Building Fire in Auburn
AUBURN—The Office of State Fire Marshal has completed its investigation into a structure fire that occurred on Monday, June 9, 2025, at 39 James Street in Auburn. The fire was reported at approximately 10:30 a.m., involving a two-unit residential building. The second-floor unit, which was unoccupied and undergoing renovations, sustained significant fire damage. The first-floor unit was occupied at the time, but no injuries were reported.
Based on the scene examination and information gathered, the fire has been classified as accidental in nature. FMO investigators noted that renovation materials and debris were present in the affected area, and the fire appeared to have originated on the second level toward the rear of the structure.
The Office of State Fire Marshal reminds property owners and contractors to handle and dispose of renovation materials in accordance with product safety guidelines to help prevent similar incidents.
Fire Marshal’s Office Arrests Limington Man for April Arson Case
LIMINGTON—On Tuesday, June 10, 2025, at approximately 11:45 a.m., Investigators from the Maine State Fire Marshal’s Office, with assistance from the Buxton Police Department, arrested 33-year-old Bradford Ross, of Limington, in connection with an intentional fire that occurred on Monday, April 21, 2025, at approximately 4:40 p.m., at 482 Ossipee Trail, Limington.
Fire Marshal Investigators had obtained an arrest warrant for Ross, who was taken into custody without incident and transported to the York County Jail. Bail was set at $30,000.00. Ross is being charged with arson and violation of conditions of release.
The investigation determined that Ross intentionally set fire to a camper located on his property before fleeing the scene. The fire spread from the camper to the nearby main residence, causing additional damage. No one was in the residence at the time. The investigation remains ongoing.
The Fire Marshal’s Office extends its gratitude to the Maine State Police, Maine Forest Service, Limington Fire Department, and the Buxton Police Department for their valuable assistance during this investigation.
Maine State Police Investigating Multi-Vehicle Crash Following Deer Strike
YORK—On Tuesday, June 10, 2025, at approximately 7:13 p.m., Troop G troopers responded to a multi-vehicle crash at mile marker 13 southbound on the Maine Turnpike in York. The initial investigation indicates that the driver of a red Mitsubishi Mirage struck a deer in the center lane and the vehicle became disabled. The driver exited the vehicle and moved to a safe location off the roadway, as the vehicle could not be moved from its position.
Shortly after, a commercial vehicle carrying fuel crested the hill behind the crash scene and was unable to stop in time. The truck struck the disabled Mitsubishi, causing it to be pushed into the median. The impact also caused the commercial truck to veer to the right and collide with a BMW crossover vehicle. Both the truck and BMW came to rest off the right side of the roadway.
Fortunately, only minor injuries were reported, and no one required transport to the hospital. The deer did not survive. The crash scene required a temporary lane reduction, with southbound traffic limited to one lane for approximately one hour and fifteen minutes while the emergency response took place and vehicles were removed from the scene.
The Maine State Police were assisted by the Wells Fire Department, York Police Department, the Maine Turnpike Authority, National Wrecker Service, and Troop K Commercial Vehicle Enforcement.
Maine State Police Investigating Series of Crashes Resulting in Fatality in Hancock
HANCOCK—On Wednesday, June 11, 2025, at approximately 6:44 a.m., Maine State Police responded to a report of a two-vehicle crash on Route 1 in Hancock. While troopers were enroute, a second call was received reporting that one of the individuals involved in the crash had been struck by a dump truck at the scene.
The initial investigation determined that 54-year-old Kevin Minnie, of Ellsworth, had been involved in two separate crashes in the moments leading up to his death.
Preliminary information indicates that Minnie was traveling at a high rate of speed while traveling westbound on Route 1 when he rear-ended a pickup truck, causing it to roll over and leave the roadway. The operator of that vehicle was transported to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
Minnie continued driving westbound for a short distance before going in the opposite lane and striking the rear passenger side of a second vehicle on Route 1 in front of Tideway Market. That driver was not injured.
After the second crash, Minnie exited his vehicle and began acting erratically striking and jumping on several vehicles that had stopped at the scene. As a commercial dump truck approached the area, Minnie ran toward the passenger rear tire and was struck. He did not survive. Investigators believe Minnie was experiencing a mental health crisis that contributed to his behavior.
The crash remains under investigation by the Northern Field Troop with assistance from the Maine State Police Commercial Vehicle Unit and the Hancock County Sheriff’s Office.
Fire Marshal’s Office Investigating Bus Fires in Portland
PORTLAND—On Wednesday, June 11, 2025, at approximately 3:30 a.m., the Portland Fire Department responded to a report of a fire at 464 St. John Street in Portland. Upon arrival, firefighters found two antique buses parked side-by-side in a yard, on fire. The fire extended to a nearby building however due to the quick response and intervention by the Portland firefighters, the damage was limited to the building’s exterior and did not result in a structure fire.
The Portland Fire Department and Portland Police Department have requested the assistance of the State Fire Marshal’s Office in the ongoing investigation. Investigators from the Fire Marshal’s Office are actively working in coordination with both departments. At this time, the cause of the fire has not yet been determined, and follow-up investigations are underway.
Arrest Made in Hartland Homicide
HARTLAND—On Wednesday, June 11, 2025, at approximately 8:00 p.m., detectives from the Maine State Police Major Crimes Unit Central arrested 69-year-old Bonnie Coombs, of Garland, in connection with the April homicide of 78-year-old Velma Withee, of Hartland. Coombs is the sister of the victim.
On Saturday, April 12, 2025, at approximately 6:30 p.m., the Somerset County Sheriff’s Office requested assistance from the Maine State Police Major Crimes Unit Central following the discovery of a deceased adult female at a residence on Keenan Road in Hartland. The victim was identified as Velma Withee.
An autopsy was conducted by the Office of Chief Medical Examiner in Augusta on Monday, April 14, 2025. The manner of death was determined to be homicide, and the cause was gunshot wounds.
Bonnie Coombs was transported to the Somerset County Jail, where she is currently being held without bail. This investigation remains active and ongoing. No additional details are being released at this time.
Saco Man Arrested after Multi-Town Pursuit
GORHAM—On Thursday, June 12, 2025, at approximately 10:10 a.m., a Maine State Police trooper observed a white Hyundai Sonata traveling at a reckless speed and passing other vehicles in a no-passing zone on Route 25 in Cornish. The vehicle was also observed crossing into oncoming traffic. When the trooper attempted to stop the vehicle, the driver failed to stop and continued at a high rate of speed. The trooper coordinated with the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office to deploy spike mats at the Limington-Standish town line. The spike mats were successfully deployed, disabling both passenger-side tires of the vehicle.
Despite the damage, the driver continued to flee, driving on deflating tires and rims. The pursuit continued through the intersection of Routes 25 and 35 in Standish, where the driver of the Hyundai Sonata rear-ended another vehicle. The driver of that vehicle sustained minor injuries.
The driver of the Hyundai then continued eastbound on Route 25 into Gorham, where a Maine State Police trooper conducted a PIT maneuver, (Precision Immobilization Technique) successfully bringing the pursuit to a safe conclusion. The driver, identified as 28-year-old Gabriel Nodarse, of Saco, sustained minor injuries. He was evaluated at the scene and transported to the York County Jail.
Nodarse has been charged with eluding and reckless conduct with a dangerous weapon. Following the incident, investigators also learned that Nodarse was involved in a hit-and-run crash earlier that morning at approximately 9:10 a.m., on High Street in Bridgton.
The Maine State Police would like to thank the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office and the Gorham Police Department for their assistance. The investigation is ongoing.
Maine State Police Investigating Double Homicide in Chelsea
CHELSEA—On Wednesday, June 11, 2025, at approximately 8:37 p.m., Maine State Police troopers responded to a residence on Windsor Road in Chelsea. Upon arrival, troopers located two deceased adult males. Detectives and Evidence Response Technicians with the Maine State Police Major Crimes Unit Central responded to investigate and process the scene.
The deceased individuals were transported to the Office of Chief Medical Examiner in Augusta, where autopsies will be conducted to determine the cause and manner of death.
A juvenile male was arrested at the scene and charged with murder. He was taken into custody and transported to Long Creek Youth Development Center in South Portland.
The deceased have since been identified as 43-year-old Christopher Hunnewell, of Chelsea, and 22-year-old Ty Carter, of Chelsea. Cause and manner of death are being withheld at this time. The investigation is ongoing, and no further details are available while that work continues.
Fire Marshal’s Office Arrests Windsor Man in Somerville Arson Case
SOMERVILLE—Investigators with the Maine State Fire Marshal’s Office have arrested 27-year-old Ben Alan Manley, of Windsor, on June 11, 2025, on a warrant charging him with arson, aggravated criminal mischief, and unauthorized use of property in connection with a vehicle fire in Somerville.
The charges stem from an incident on June 2, 2025, when investigators responded to a report of a vehicle fire on private property in Somerville. The vehicle had previously been reported stolen out of Augusta. The owners of the property where the vehicle was found are not connected to the incident.
Manley was arrested at the Kennebec County Jail, where he was already in custody following his arrest last week on a probation violation.
Fire Marshal’s Office Investigating House Fire in Norway
NORWAY—On Friday, June 13, 2025, at approximately 2:30 a.m.,, the Norway Fire Department responded to a report of a structure fire at 246 Eddie Kahkonen Road in Norway. Upon arrival, crews observed heavy fire conditions originating from the basement, with flames having already extended into the attic.
Firefighters initiated an aggressive attack and received assistance from several area mutual aid departments. Thanks to the coordinated response, the fire was brought under control, although the building sustained significant damage.
A team of fire investigators the Fire Marshal’s Office responded and have been on scene since daylight, working in coordination with the Norway Fire Department. The investigation has confirmed that the fire originated in the basement; however, the exact cause of the fire remains undetermined at this time.
One firefighter was evaluated for a burn to the ear. The homeowners were home at the time of the fire but were able to get out safely.
Maine State Police Corral Escaped Goats on Turnpike after Trailer Incident
FALMOUTH—On Saturday, June 14, 2025, at approximately 12:41 p.m., Maine State Police Troop G troopers responded to a report of a trailer carrying goats that had become detached from its towing vehicle on the Turnpike northbound near mile marker 52 in Falmouth. The trailer came to rest in the median. As a result of the incident, 15 goats escaped and began to disrupt traffic on both the northbound and southbound lanes.
Troopers quickly responded and coordinated efforts to corral the goats. The investigation determined that the driver, operating a 2013 Toyota pickup truck towing a farm trailer, experienced a disconnection between the vehicle and trailer, leading to the incident.
There were no significant injuries to the driver or the goats. Southbound traffic was minimally affected, while northbound traffic was slowed for about 45 minutes but continued to flow.
The Maine State Police were assisted at the scene by Southern Maine Towing, Cumberland County Emergency Management Agency, the Town of Cumberland, Cumberland Police Department Animal Control, and Maine Turnpike Authority maintenance crews.
Fire Marshal’s Office Investigating Fatal Fire in Newfield
NEWFIELD—The Maine State Fire Marshal’s Office is investigating a fatal fire that occurred early Sunday morning, June 15, at a residence at 52 Maintenance Lane in Newfield. The Newfield Fire Department responded to the fire which destroyed a two-story home.
Fire Marshal investigators suspect that the homeowner, 39-year-old Kristofer Whittemore, may have been inside the residence at the time of the fire. A search of the debris led to the discovery of human remains, which have been transported to the Office of Chief Medical Examiner in Augusta for positive identification. The home is considered a total loss. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
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.
Unless otherwise credited, all photos courtesy of the Maine Department of Public Safety.
Follow us on Facebook. And as a reminder, you can easily view all our past stories and press releases here.
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.