POLICE LOG: Ledgelawn Propane Leak Brings Out Fire Department
Tree on Village Green Worried Town, Others Behind Ledgelawn Worry Residents
BAR HARBOR—On Wednesday, October 25, the Bar Harbor Fire Department responded to a report of the smell of propane at a Ledgelawn Avenue residence. A tenant walking in the common hallway could smell propane and called the fire department.
Using their gas detector, firefighters were able to determine which unit the gas was emanating from. The gas detector indicated that the level of propane in the atmosphere was higher than the “lower explosive limit” and firefighters evacuated the entire building while they vented the unit from the exterior.
A burner knob on a propane cooking stove had accidentally been left in the open position, allowing the propane to escape into the apartment.
Fire Chief Matt Bartlett would like to remind everyone of the importance of fuel gas detectors, CO detectors, and smoke alarms. All of these devices are required in most dwelling units, especially rental units, and should be installed and in working order in any dwelling unit.
To find all of the fire safety requirements, you can go to the Maine State Fire Marshall’s website here.
TREE ON THE GREEN AND LEDGELAWN TREES
On Friday, November 3, the Bar Harbor Fire Department took the initiative and removed some branches that had fallen off of this dead tree on the edge of the Village Green before they could endanger any vehicles or pedestrians below. Using the department’s ladder truck, Firefighter/EMT Phil Richter climbed the truck’s ladder and cut the branches loose so that they could fall safely to the ground.
According to Public Works Director Bethany Leavitt, “One of the limbs broke off and another was in danger of breaking off. We had a lot of storms this summer and fall and the tree was likely weakened before or during this past storm. The tree was limbed up on Friday night after the fire department alerted public works of the hazardous tree.”
Leavitt said that the town has also been asked to address trees on the town’s ball field property along the backside of Ledgelawn Avenue properties. The town has marked out trees for an arborist to assess.
“The town looked at the trees through two lenses: 1) is the tree healthy or unhealthy and 2) is the tree healthy today but (a) due to entanglement with other trees may become an issue in the near future or (b) the tree is leaning towards private property or overhanging private property and would cause property damage if it was blown down in a future wind storm,” she said.
Those trees are currently marked by the town and then the arborist’s tag was added.
“It's possible that a good portion the tagged trees will be removed but exactly which ones and timing depends on feedback from property owners, how much we can perform in house verses hiring the work out, remaining funds in our tree pruning budget, etc.,” Leavitt said.
The following incidents occurred in Bar Harbor last week according to the Bar Harbor police log, which is publicly released information.
Monday, October 30, 2023
A person called the Bar Harbor Police Department to have information documented. No further information or disposition was given.
Alan Walton, 38, of Seal Harbor, was driving a 2008 GMC Sierra and attempting to back into a legal parking spot on Cottage Street in Bar Harbor when he allegedly hit an already parked 2019 Ford F-150 which was last operated by Nathan Douglass, 48, of Cape May, New Jersey. Walton allegedly then left the scene but was later located. Walton’s vehicle had no damage and Douglass’ vehicle suffered minor damage to the front bumper. There was no reported personal injury.
Officer Amie Torrey handled a parking problem in Northeast Harbor.
Officer Kaleb Payson responded to a motor vehicle complaint in Mount Desert but could not locate the suspect vehicle.
Officer Torrey took a civil land dispute complaint in Mount Desert and advised the complainant to contact an attorney.
Officer Kaleb Payson responded to a motor vehicle complaint in Bar Harbor, located the suspect vehicle, and warned the driver for their operation.
Officer Torrey received a motor vehicle complaint on Route 102 in Mount Desert, but all police units were out of position. No further complaints were received.
Officer Troy Stanwood assisted the York County Sherriff’s Department with serving a summons in Bar Harbor.
Tuesday, October 31, 2023
Officers assisted with the annual Halloween parade in Bar Harbor.
Officer Judson Cake responded to a motor vehicle complaint in Bar Harbor, located the suspect vehicle, and made the driver aware of their poor driving.
Officer Nathan Formby received a report of a missing child during Halloween festivities in Bar Harbor. The child was located and reunited with his parents.
Officer J. Cake assisted someone with starting their vehicle in Bar Harbor.
Officer Formby assisted an individual with a mental illness in Bar Harbor and the person went to the hospital voluntarily.
Mental Health Liaison Melissa Tozier spoke with someone having mental health issues in Bar Harbor. The person was amenable to receiving services via Tozier.
Officers assisted the Bar Harbor ambulance with a medical call on Highbrook Road.
Wednesday, November 01, 2023
Officer Liam Harrington spoke with a disorderly person in Bar Harbor. No further information or disposition was given.
Officer Chris Dickens responded to a report of a motorist having struck a deer on Route 102 in Somesville. The vehicle sustained no damage and the deer could not be located.
Officer Formby handled a complaint of an intoxicated person in Bar Harbor. The person was provided medical services for injuries from a fall that they had taken.
Officer Formby facilitated a transfer of property between two individuals in Bar Harbor.
Semayon Lukose, 24, of Massachusetts, was driving a vehicle which was not described in the press release, on Eagle Lake Road in Bar Harbor when he allegedly struck a deer. There was no reported personal injury. There was minor damage to the front passenger door of the vehicle, and the deer fled the scene.
Officer Stanwood took a report of a civil issue between a contractor and an employee in Bar Harbor.
A “trash road hazard” was reported to the Bar Harbor Police Department. No further information or disposition was given.
Officer Tim Bland assisted another agency with trying to locate someone in Bar Harbor but did not locate the person.
Officer Bland was advised of a motor vehicle complaint in Bar Harbor. The vehicle was stopped by the Hancock County Sheriff’s Department.
Officer Payson located a disabled vehicle in Bar Harbor. A tow truck was called to remove the vehicle from the roadway.
After stopping a motor vehicle, Officer J. Cake arrested Yves Jean, 33, of Naples, Florida, for alleged operating under the influence and also summonsed Jean for alleged failure to register a motor vehicle in Bar Harbor.
Officer Caleb Mora received a well-being check request in Bar Harbor. The request was referred to the mental health liaison. No further information or disposition was given.
Thursday, November 02, 2023
Officer Lukas Keene warned a woman for trespassing on private property in Bar Harbor.
Officer Keene responded to a complaint of a suspicious motor vehicle parked at the end of a driveway in Bar Harbor. No further information or disposition was given.
Officer Keene warned a woman for trespassing on private property in Bar Harbor.
Friday, November 03, 2023
Officer Jerrod Hardy responded to a complaint of a food service delivery vehicle blocking the road in Bar Harbor. The truck was gone by the time Officer Hardy arrived.
Mental Health Liaison Tozier responded with the Bar Harbor ambulance to conduct a well-being check at a man’s residence.
Officer Bland stopped a vehicle being operated by Tamesha Buchanan, 20, no place of residence given, and issued her a summons for alleged operating after suspension. In Bar Harbor.
Officer J. Cake assisted the Bar Harbor Fire Department with traffic control.
Officer Bland responded to a non-reportable vehicle crash in Somesville. No further information or disposition was given.
A concerned person advised Officer Keene that there was another person who needed assistance in Bar Harbor. No further information or disposition was given.
Officer Burne conducted a citizen assist in the lobby of the Bar Harbor Police Department. No further information or disposition was given.
Saturday, November 04, 2023
Officer Bland retrieved an abandoned bicycle in Bar Harbor.
Officer Payson assisted someone in Mount Desert. No further information or disposition was given.
Officer Payson handled a disorderly complaint in Bar Harbor. The suspect was located and warned for disorderly conduct.
After stopping a motor vehicle, Officer Burne arrested Joshua Girroir, 35, of Pittsfield, Maine, for alleged operating under the influence in Bar Harbor.
Sunday, November 05, 2023
Officer Payson took a complaint of suspicious activity in Mount Desert but could not locate any suspicious activity.
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.
Triple Fatal Fire in Fort Fairfield
On Thursday, November 2, 2023, at approximately 2:05 a.m., the Houlton Regional Communications Center received a 911 call reporting a fire at a residence located at 85 Riverside Avenue in Fort Fairfield. The Fort Fairfield Fire Department responded and determined that there were fatalities.
Investigators from the Fire Marshal’s Office responded and started an investigation. The investigation determined that three people, a father, mother, and daughter died as a result of the fire. A juvenile child was the only survivor and was transported to a local hospital. The deceased are believed to be 47-year-old Erik Elmer, 39-year-old Jessica Elmer, and 17-year-old Rose Elmer.
The deceased have been transported to the Office of Chief Medical Examiner in Augusta where positive identification will be made. The Limestone and Easton Fire Departments provided mutual aid. The fire is currently under investigation and there is no indication of foul play. There were no working smoke detectors in the home.
Drug Case Leads to Significant Sentencing
Bangor––On Wednesday, October 18, 2023, following a 4-day jury trial in Bangor Unified Criminal Court, 41-year-old Angelena C. Quirion, of Bangor, was convicted on numerous aggravated drug trafficking offenses. These convictions stemmed from Quirion’s arrest by the Auburn Police Department on Thursday, January 20, 2022. At that time Auburn police officers seized a significant amount fentanyl, cocaine, and methamphetamine from the vehicle she was in. The following day Friday, January 21, 2022, MDEA agents executed a search warrant on Quirion’s home in Bangor.
In total, the Auburn and Bangor investigations resulted in the seizure of 1,316 grams of methamphetamine, 1,206 grams of fentanyl, 247 grams of cocaine, over $30,000 in cash, 2 handguns, and an AR 15 rifle.
The amount of fentanyl seized was over 201 times the amount of fentanyl (6 grams) required to trigger a 4-year mandatory-minimum jail sentence. The amount of methamphetamine seized was over 13 times the amount of methamphetamine (100 grams) to trigger a 4-year mandatory- minimum jail sentence and the amount of cocaine seized was over twice the amount of cocaine (112 grams) needed to trigger the same 4-year mandatory-minimum sentence. The quantity of drugs seized during this investigation represent one of the most significant seizures, to date, in the State of Maine.
On Wednesday, November 1, 2023, Quirion received one of the most significant sentences ever handed down as part of a State of Maine drug case. She was ordered by the court to a term of imprisonment of 30 years with all but 25 years suspended, followed by four years of probation. It was the contention of investigators and prosecutors that Quirion’s motivation to traffic these drugs was purely financial. Quirion had no prior felony record in the State of Maine.
This was a joint investigation among the Auburn Police Department, the Bangor Police Department, US Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency.
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 and methamphetamine in the State of Maine.
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.
Arrest Made in South Portland Homicide
On the evening of September 5, 2023, the body of 52-year-old Danielle Goodwin of Freeport was discovered off Clark’s Pond Road in South Portland. The Office of Chief Medical Examiner in Augusta determined the manner of her death to be homicide. Over the course of the last eight weeks investigators from the Maine State Police, Portland Police Department, South Portland Police Department, Saco Police Department, and the ATF conducted interviews, collected video evidence, and executed search warrants within the greater Portland area.
Evidence seized pursuant to search warrants linked the person now identified as 65-year-old Gary Mariner, 65, of West Newfield, Maine, to the murder of Danielle Goodwin. On Thursday, November 2, 2023, investigators with the Maine State Police Major Crimes Unit obtained an arrest warrant for Mariner on the charge of murder and arrested him early this morning in Saco. Mariner is expected to make an initial appearance in York County District Court on Monday, November 6, 2023.
Four Injured in Orland Explosion
On Friday, November 3, 2023, at approximately 9:20 a.m., the Orland Fire Department responded to a fire/explosion at a single-family home with a detached garage at 102 Soper Road in Orland. Four adults were in the home at the time of the fire. One adult with serious but non-life-threatening injuries was transported via Lifeflight to Eastern Maine Medical Center (EMMC). The three other adults in the home were transported to EMMC by ambulance. One adult suffered serious injuries, the other two suffered minor injuries. The injured were the two homeowners. The other two adults were friends of the homeowners.
Investigators with the Fire Marshal’s Office responded to the scene to interview witnesses and process the scene. The initial investigation indicates this was a propane leak and explosion. Investigators are currently working on determining what was leaking and what the ignition source is. The property is a total loss. The Orland Fire Department is being assisted by numerous mutual aid departments.
Carmel Fatal Fire
On Friday, November 3, 2023, at approximately 2:57 p.m., the Carmel Fire Department responded to a residential fire at 26 Haskell Street in Carmel. Upon arrival, they determined that one person had died as a result of the fire. Investigators from the Fire Marshal’s Office responded to the scene to conduct an investigation. The deceased was transported to the Office of Chief Medical Examiner in Augusta and is believed to be 70-year-old Joseph Jack who lived at the residence with his wife. He was home alone at the time of the fire.
The cause of the fire is still under investigation but there is no indication of foul play. The Carmel Fire Department was assisted by the Levant, Air National Guard, Hermon, Hampden, Newburgh, and Newport Fire Departments. Also assisting was the Penobscot County Sheriff’s Department, Levant Ambulance, and Northern Light Ambulance.
Smyrna Man Charged With Arson in Bangor Walmart Fire
On Friday, November 3, 2023, at approximately 5:48 p.m., the Bangor Fire Department and the Bangor Police Department responded to a fire at Walmart at 900 Stillwater Avenue. Investigators from the Fire Marshal’s Office responded to the fire as well. Internal surveillance video indicated the fire was started in the men’s clothing section by an adult male.
The joint investigation established that 44-year-old Lucas Landry, of Smyrna, started the fire. He was located at his residence on Saturday, November 4, 2023, and was taken into custody without incident. Landry was transported to the Penobscot County Jail. He has been charged with arson. He is currently on probation for burglary. No bail will be set as a probation hold has been placed on Landry.
Authorities are asking that if anyone has video of the fire to please share it by sending it to the following link.
https://pdupload.bangormaine.gov
Lewiston Death Investigation
On Friday, November 3, 2023, shortly after 7:30 p.m., an adult male was dropped off at the Emergency Department of St. Mary’s Hospital in Lewiston Maine. The injured male was treated at St. Mary’s but would later succumb to his injuries the following morning. The deceased was identified as 40-year-old Anthony Ayotte, of Lewiston. On Saturday, November 4, 2023, Maine State Police Detectives working with Lewiston Police Detectives conducted interviews and collected evidence which led to obtaining an arrest warrant for murder for 36-years-old Jerry Thibodeau, 36, of Lewiston.
Shortly after 5:00 p.m., Lewiston Police located Thibodeau at a residence on Sabattus Street where he refused to leave the home. The Maine State Police Tactical Team and Crisis Negotiation Team responded and shortly after 10:00 p.m., Thibodeau was taken into custody without incident. Thibodeau is believed to have dropped Ayotte at the hospital Friday night. The two are known to each other. Thibodeau was transported to the Androscoggin County Jail where he will make an initial appearance in Androscoggin District Court on Monday, November 6, 2023.
The deceased was transported to the Office of Chief Medical Examiner in Augusta where an autopsy is expected to be performed on Sunday, November 5, 2023, to determine cause and manner of death.