Police Respond to Alleged Mount Desert Hit and Run
Ellsworth driver rolls box truck on interstate in Sidney
The Bar Harbor Story is generously sponsored by Paradis Ace Hardware.
MOUNT DESERT—On Friday, August 16, Patrick J. Spencer, 24, of Ellsworth, was driving a 2011 Chevy Aveo and allegedly failed to yield the right of way at the intersection of Main Street and Sound Drive in Mount Desert, striking a 2015 Lexus RX350 that was being driven by Robert B. Stewart, 70, of Wilmington, Delaware, who was attempting to turn right.
Spencer allegedly fled the scene but was located hours later in another jurisdiction.
Both vehicles suffered bumper damage. The press release does not indicate that Stewart was injured. Upon being located later, Spencer complained of neck pain and was issued summonses for the following criminal offenses:
alleged failing to stop for an accident,
alleged leaving the scene of an accident,
alleged violation of conditions of release.
Spencer was also issued traffic violation summonses for alleged failure to provide evidence of insurance and alleged failure of left turning vehicle to yield right of way.
Box Truck Rollover
SIDNEY—On August 16, 2024, at approximately 3:00 p.m., the State Police dispatch received a call about a box truck driving erratically northbound from mile 112. As troopers were moving to intercept the truck, multiple calls came in to report that the same truck had crashed into the median at mile 118 in Sidney.
Troopers believe the operator, Ashley Peters, 42, of Ellsworth, fell asleep, left the roadway in the box truck owned by Eastern Mold Remediation, and entered the median before striking a tree and rolling onto the passenger side. Peters, who was not wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash, suffered serious, non-life-threatening injuries and was transported to Maine General Hospital.
Interstate 95 shut down to one lane northbound in the crash area while crews worked the scene until just after 6 PM.
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.
NOTE: Due to the increased volume of calls during the summer, we are not going to print minor traffic accidents.
Monday, August 12, 2024
Officer Nathan Formby provided a ride to someone in Bar Harbor.
Officer Zack Kline received a late report of a road rage incident in Mount Desert and documented the complaint.
Officer Kline assisted the Housing Authority in Bar Harbor with a civil matter concerning dogs in an apartment and found that the dogs had been removed from the apartment earlier in the day.
Mental Health Liaison Melissa Tozier spoke with a person in Bar Harbor, at their request, about mental health concerns.
Officer Kline responded to a Bar Harbor campground for a man that was experiencing a mental crisis. The man was placed into protective custody and taken to the hospital for an evaluation.
Someone reported some vandalism in Mount Desert to Officer Ted Cake.
A Bar Harbor resident called the police department to make a late report of a barking dog and was told to call back when the dog was barking.
Someone in Bar Harbor anonymously reported some information to the police department.
Officers responded to a complaint from a bus operator in Bar Harbor regarding three people who were being disorderly after they were refused service by the bus company. Officers spoke with the three people and moved them along.
Officer Formby provided a ride to someone in Bar Harbor.
Tuesday, August 13, 2024
Officers responded to Kebo Street in Bar Harbor for a reported parking issue and found that all of the vehicles parked along the roadway were parked legally.
MHL Tozier spoke with a woman in Bar Harbor about community services.
A Mount Desert resident called the police department regarding a commercial grade firework that had washed ashore on their property. The Mount Desert Fire Department retrieved the firework and placed it in a bucket of water until the State Fire Marshal’s Office could retrieve it.
Sgt. Jerrod Hardy assisted someone with a civil issue in Bar Harbor.
A traffic control detail was requested for a private event in Seal Harbor.
Officer T. Cake conducted a well-being check on someone in Bar Harbor and found them to be fine.
Officer Formby assisted someone with finding their vehicle in Bar Harbor.
Officer Kaleb Payson took a report of fireworks being shot off in Bar Harbor, but the fireworks stopped before officers could respond.
Officers responded to a report of a domestic incident in Bar Harbor and investigation revealed that no crime had occurred.
Officer Payson responded to a motor vehicle complaint in Bar Harbor but could not locate the suspect vehicle.
Sgt. Hardy helped someone locate their vehicle in Bar Harbor.
Someone reported some information to the Bar Harbor Police Department.
Officer Payson took a barking dog complaint in Bar Harbor, determined that it was a substantiated disorderly house event, and warned the dog owners for the violation.
Wednesday, August 14, 2024
Someone reported hitting a loose dog on Kebo Street in Bar Harbor and the dog’s owner took it for medical treatment.
Officer Kline spoke with someone in Bar Harbor regarding a civil issue and advised the caller to speak with an attorney about the issue.
Sgt. Soren Sundberg took a complaint about an ongoing speeding and traffic issue on Kebo Street in Bar Harbor and the matter is being addressed.
Officer T. Cake was flagged down by someone in Bar Harbor and informed him of a dog in a car. Officer T. Cake found the vehicle windows to be rolled down and the dog to not be in distress.
Sgt. Sundberg responded to a complaint of a vehicle tailgating in Bar Harbor, located the vehicle, and issued the driver a verbal warning.
A man told Officer Caleb Mora that he had been threatened by another man in Bar Harbor reported being threatened by another man in Bar Harbor.
Officer Mora took a delayed report of an assault in Bar Harbor but neither the complainant or any other involved party wanted to report it or pursue charges.
Officer Mora took a report from a Northeast Harbor resident who was concerned about tree cutting on their property by a neighbor. The complainant was referred to a Maine State Forest Ranger.
Officer Mora attempted to serve paperwork to a Seal Harbor resident but the person no longer lives in Seal Harbor and the paperwork was referred to another law enforcement agency.
The Bar Harbor Police Department was provided with some information regarding non-criminal matters.
Sgt. Hardy took a barking dog complaint in Bar Harbor and spoke with the dog’s owner.
Sgt. Hardy took a loose dog report in Bar Harbor and the dog was reunited with its owner.
A Northeast Harbor resident locked themself out of their apartment and were referred to the fire department for assistance.
Sgt. Hardy served a subpoena to someone in Bar Harbor.
Officer Lukas Keene served a subpoena to a Bar Harbor resident.
Someone in Bar Harbor was served a no trespass warning.
Officer Liam Harrington spoke with a Bar Harbor resident regarding concerns with ongoing activities in the complainant’s apartment complex.
Officer Justin Burnett responded to a complaint of an intoxicated person being disorderly in Bar Harbor. No further information or disposition was given.
Officer Keene responded to a noise complaint in Bar Harbor and warned the residents for the noise which was quieted for the night.
Thursday, August 15, 2024
A man was issued a cease harassment notice by Officer Mora after a Bar Harbor business reported continued harassing communications.
Sgt. Sundberg located two men who were trespassing on private property in Bar Harbor, warned them for trespassing, and removed them from the property.
Officer Amie Torrey is assisting the Maine Computer Crimes Unit with an investigation in Mount Desert.
Following a traffic stop in Bar Harbor, Officer Mora summonsed Howard Palmer, 35, of Ellsworth and Florida, for alleged criminal speed. Palmer was also issued a warning for a separate traffic violation.
Officer Elias Burne took a barking dog complaint in Bar Harbor and made the dog owner aware of the complaint.
Officer Torrey handled a noise complaint in Bar Harbor and told a man to turn his music down.
A Mount Desert resident requested overnight patrols of Ponds End for camping violations.
Officer Payson assisted another agency with making contact with someone in Bar Harbor.
Officer Keene took a report of a municipal ordinance violation in Mount Desert.
Friday, August 16, 2024
Following a traffic stop in Bar Harbor, Officer Payson arrested Kaito Letkiewicz, 22, of Plano, Texas, for alleged operating under the influence. Letkiewicz was transported to the Hancock County Jail.
Officer T. Cake responded to an ongoing harassment issue in Bar Harbor and the case is under investigation.
Officer Mora took a dog at large complaint in Bar Harbor. The owner of the dog was warned for roaming dog at large and the complainant was warned for criminal mischief.
Officer T. Cake took a report of vandalism in Bar Harbor, went to the location of the vandalism, and documented the incident at the request of the complainant.
Officer Burne assisted with a disabled motor vehicle in Bar Harbor. Others had had managed to get the vehicle out of the roadway by the time he arrived. Officer Burne gave the vehicle occupants a ride to their campsite.
Officer Burne assisted a Bar Harbor resident with blocking spam calls on their phone.
Officer Torrey responded to a report of a vehicle parked in the roadway in Mount Desert but found no vehicles in the road upon arrival.
A traffic control detail was requested for a private event in Northeast Harbor.
A man called the Bar Harbor Police Department upset that his friends were drunk in public.
Officer Torrey received a report of trespassers on a boat in Northeast Harbor and removed the offending people from the boat.
Officer Harrington arrested Wyatt T. Muse, 41, of Monticello, Illinois, for alleged operating under the influence in Bar Harbor.
Saturday, August 17, 2024
Officer Judson Cake warned an intoxicated man who was standing in the middle of a four-way intersection in Bar Harbor for obstructing a public way and failure to stop for an officer.
Following a traffic stop in Mount Desert, Officer J. Cake arrested Jonathan Faglione, 31, of East Northport, New York, for alleged operating under the influence.
Sgt. Doug Brundrett handled a report of a child that was separated from their parents in Northeast Harbor. He located the parents a short time later, and reunited the parents and child.
Officer Mora took a report of overnight campers in Bar Harbor. Officer Mora found the occupants (what they were occupying was not stated) not to be sleeping and the complainant was advised to call when the suspects were actually “camping.”
Officer Burnett performed a special detail for the Somesville Library during the Blueberry Festival.
A man in Mount Desert turned in a firearm and ammunition to the police department for destruction.
An officer responded to a neighbor dispute in Northeast Harbor. No further information or disposition was given.
At the request of a woman’s mother, Officer Kline called a Bar Harbor woman to discuss a landlord/tenant issue. The daughter said that everything was fine and Officer Kline advised her to call back if that was to change.
Officer Mora took a request for a private detail at an event in Seal Harbor.
Officer Kline responded to a report of trash in the street in Bar Harbor that was caused by seagulls eating out of a trashcan. Officer Kline moved the can from the street back to the house where it belonged because the owners were not home at the time.
Officers responded to a 911 call plotting in the area of Main Street in Somesville. It was determined that someone had lost their phone out of a vehicle window and the phone was located and returned to its owner.
Officer Kline received a report of a man knocking on an apartment door in Bar Harbor and asking if someone in particular lived there. The man was advised that the person they were asking for doesn’t live at the apartment and the man then left the area.
Officer Payson performed a well-being check in Bar Harbor and found the person to be all set.
Officer Payson responded to a noise complaint in Bar Harbor and determined that it was unsubstantiated.
Officer Torrey received a report of harassing text messages in Mount Desert. No further information or disposition was given.
Officer Harrington took a noise complaint in Bar Harbor. No further information or disposition was given.
Officer Burnett received a barking dog complaint in Northeast Harbor. No further information or disposition was given.
Officer Payson observed a municipal ordinance violation in Mount Desert, warned the involved people for their behavior, and moved them along.
Following an investigation, Aimee M. Lacroix, 54, and Erin C. Nelson, 58, both of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, were arrested for alleged domestic violence assault in Bar Harbor.
Sunday, August 18, 2024
After receiving a report about a suicidal person in Bar Harbor, Officer Payson located the person and took them to MDI Hospital for treatment.
Officer J. Cake arrested John Mallar, 57, of Ormond Beach, Florida, for alleged operating under the influence in Bar Harbor.
Officers assisted the Bar Harbor Fire Department at the scene of a medical emergency in Bar Harbor.
A man was reported lost in Bar Harbor. When he was located, it was determined that he had been in an argument with his family about their travel plans.
Officer Kline responded to a complaint about a slow-moving vehicle on the Pretty Marsh Road in Mount Desert. The complainant stated that the vehicle pulled into the driveway of a residence and when Officer Kline arrived, the vehicle was not there.
Officer Burnett received a report of a suspicious people in Bar Harbor. No further information or disposition was given.
Officer Keene responded to a report of disorderly conduct at the Cottage Street Pub in Bar Harbor. No further information or disposition was given.
SOUTHWEST HARBOR AND TREMONT
The following incidents occurred in Southwest Harbor last week according to the Southwest Harbor Police Department police log, which is publicly released information.
NOTE: Due to the increased volume of calls during the summer, we are not going to print minor traffic accidents.
Monday, August 12, 2024
Officer Ryan Blakeney spoke with a Tremont resident regarding a violation of a court order and advised the resident to call the court where the order was issued and the law enforcement agency in the area where the violation took place.
Tuesday, August 13, 2024
Officer Bradley Russell handled a complaint regarding a boat trailer that had been left at a local dock in Southwest Harbor. Officer Russell spoke with the harbormaster and resolved the issue.
Officer Russell responded to a report of an individual violating their conditions of release in Southwest Harbor, spoke with the alleged violator, and determined that no violation had occurred.
Wednesday, August 14, 2024
Officer Blakeney took a report from a person in Tremont stating that the vehicle that they had been driving had been damaged overnight. Officer Blakeney responded to the complaint, gathered information, and documented it.
Officer Blakeney handled a complaint from a person in Tremont stating that some dogs got out of a house and chased the complainant until they were picked up by a passing motorist. No further information or disposition was given.
Officer Blakeney responded to a report of a dead dog or coyote on the side of the road in Southwest Harbor and determined that it was in fact a coyote. Officer Blakeney made arrangements with the Southwest Harbor Public Works to remove the coyote.
Officer Blakeney responded to a 911 call from a Southwest Harbor resident reporting that there was a chicken running across their lawn. Officer Blakeney was unable to locate the chicken.
Chief John Hall responded to a complaint of a vehicle parked in such a way as to be blocking a fire hydrant in Southwest Harbor but the vehicle was gone when he arrived.
Officer Blakeney handled a parking complaint in front of a Southwest Harbor business. Officer Blakeney was able to contact the owners of the vehicles that were in the no parking zone and have the vehicles moved.
Officer Blakeney responded to a noise complaint at a Southwest Harbor residence but was unable to locate anyone making any noise.
Officer Blakeney responded to the above noise complaint a second time and spoke with the individual who was making the noise and warned them for disorderly conduct.
Thursday, August 15, 2024
Officer Blakeney responded to an attempted trespassing complaint from a Tremont residence who thinks someone tried to enter their garage. Officer Blakeney spoke with the involved individuals, gathered information, and made a police report.
Friday, August 16, 2024
Officer Russell responded to a report of someone sleeping in the roadway in Southwest Harbor. Officer Russell located the person, woke them up, and spoke with them before ensuring that they made it home.
Officer James Kamorski issued a no trespass warning to someone at the request of a Southwest Harbor business.
Chief Hall handled a report of a disabled motor vehicle in the middle of the road in Southwest Harbor. Chief Hall located the vehicle and determined that the owner had already called for a tow truck.
Officer Kamorski attempted to respond to a residential burglar alarm in Southwest Harbor but was called off by the alarm company who stated that it was a false alarm.
Saturday, August 17, 2024
Officer Russell responded to a complaint of an individual painting in Southwest Harbor who was taking up too many parking spaces by standing in the spaces. Officer Russell spoke with the painter regarding his safety and rectified the situation.
Officer Russell assisted the Southwest Harbor/Tremont Ambulance by responding to an ambulance call in Tremont that he was already close to and providing assistance until the ambulance responded.
Officer Russell responded to a call regarding distressed dogs in a vehicle in Southwest Harbor. The vehicle had left by the time Officer Russell arrived.
Officer Russell received a complaint regarding erratic motor vehicle operation in Southwest Harbor, located the suspect vehicle, and observed no erratic operation.
Sunday, August 18, 2024
A person from Southwest Harbor called the police department to report a concerning phone call that they had received the night before and wanted to have the incident documented.
Officer Blakeney responded to a parking complaint in Southwest Harbor and the offending vehicle was leaving just as he arrived.
Officer Blakeney performed a well-being check on a person who was sitting on the side of the road in Southwest Harbor. The person told Officer Blakeney that they had a flat tire and were just waiting for roadside assistance which arrived while Officer Blakeney was there.
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.
Fire Marshal’s Office Investigating Explosion in Sinclair in Aroostook County
SINCLAIR—On Saturday, August 10, 2024, at approximately 7:00 p.m., investigators from the Fire Marshal’s Office responded to an explosion that occurred at a residence at 441 Shore Road in Sinclair. The owner of the residence was home at the time. He was transported to a local hospital and is being treated for what are believed to be non-life-threatening injuries. The residence is a complete loss.
The explosion also caused a second residence to catch fire. The second residence was occupied at the time, but the homeowner was able to get out safely. That residence is also a complete loss. The cause of the explosion is still under investigation. Investigators will be on scene all day interviewing witnesses and processing the scene.
Assisting on the scene were the following agencies: North Lakes Fire and Rescue, St. Agatha Fire Department, Fort Kent Fire Department, Frenchville Fire Department, Fort Kent Ambulance Service, and the Aroostook County Sheriff’s Office.
On August 15, the Fire Marshal’s Office issued a statement stating that they have concluded the Sinclair explosion was an accidental fire. The cause was a propane line that was disconnected from a heating unit that was accidentally turned on.
Maine State Police Responds to Dyer Brook Car Fire
DYER BROOK—On August 17, 2024, State Police Houlton responded to a vehicle fire on Interstate 95 in Dyer Brook. Candyce Marsh, 43, of Fort Kent, was driving a 2024 Subaru Forester southbound and struck a deer. After pulling to the side of the roadway, Marsh and her child exited the vehicle.
The impact from the crash caused an electrical component to spark and catch the vehicle on fire. In just a few minutes, the vehicle was fully engulfed in flames. Oakfield Fire Department responded to the scene and extinguished the fire, but the vehicle was burned beyond repair.
Marsh sustained minor injuries and was treated and released by paramedics at the scene.
Maine State Police Investigate Waterville Death
WATERVILLE—On Sunday, August 18, 2024, at approximately 8:23 a.m., Waterville Police requested the assistance of the Maine State Police Major Crimes Unit-Central Division to respond to 119 Cool Street in Waterville for the report of a potential suspicious death.
The investigation is currently ongoing, and both Waterville PD and Maine State Police continue to work on the identification of the victim. The body was sent to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner and an autopsy was performed on Monday, August 19, at the OCME at 9:30 a.m.
The results of the autopsy determined the manner of death to be homicide and cause of death to be from sharp force injuries.
On August 18, Thomas Lowrie, 41, of Waterville, was arrested by State Police detectives and charged with murder. On August 19, at 1:00 p.m., Lowrie made his initial appearance for the charge of murder at the Capital Judicial Center in Augusta.
The identity of the victim is being withheld at this time until further DNA testing can be completed and next of kin can be appropriately notified.
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.
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