Schooner Wrecked on Bar Island This Weekend
BAR HARBOR POLICE LOG: Local Man arrested after sitting through too many light cycles
BAR HARBOR—Saturday night’s visit by post tropical storm Philippe left a lasting impression on one maritime vessel. Sometime during the night, the charter schooner Bailey Louise broke free from its mooring and broke apart on the rocky shore of Bar Island.
The external affairs division of the U.S. Coast Guard First District said, “Coast Guard Sector Northern New England received initial notification from the owner of the schooner at 8:30 a.m. that the Bailey Louise broke free from its mooring. The Maine Department of Environmental Protection and Coast Guard Marine Safety Detachment Belfast arrived on scene. The MSD Belfast confirmed no signs of pollution with a maximum potential release of 30 gallons of diesel. The mooring line was confirmed to be parted. MSD Belfast and the owner both believe the vessel has potential to be a total loss. The owner is working on establishing a salvage plan.”
Bar Harbor Harbormaster and Special Services Lt. Chris Wharff confirmed that the vessel’s mooring pendant broke allowing the vessel to drift freely into the rocks.
According to the website worldvoyagers.com, the vessel is owned by Steve Pagels who also owns the Margaret Todd.
Worldvoyagers.com writes, “The building of the 65-foot hackmatack schooner Janet May began in 1981. Steve Pagels contracted with Philip Shelton and Don Baman to design and build a charter schooner for Bar Harbor, Maine. The design originated from the Biloxi, Mississippi, freight schooners of the late 1800s. Philip Shelton modified the original design found in the second edition of Howard Chapelle's National Watercraft Collection and carved a half-hull model from which the Janet May was built. With a 20-foot beam and 5-foot draft (with centerboard up) she would make a stable platform from which to introduce "flatlanders" to the sites off the coast of Maine.
On Wednesday, October 4, the police department received a report of a yellow pickup truck that had sat, unmoving, through multiple light cycles at the stoplight at the head of the island. The reporting party said that the windows of the truck were tinted, and they could not see inside of the vehicle. Eventually, a woman tapped on the window and the truck then drove away from the scene before officers could arrive.
Officer Judson Cake located the vehicle in the area of the Island Auto garage and conducted a traffic stop in front of Island Auto on Indian Point Road. After conducting an investigation, Officer Cake Arrested Alfred Lanpher, 54, of Mount Desert, for alleged operating under the influence of drugs.
The following incidents occurred in Bar Harbor last week according to the Bar Harbor police log, which is publicly released information.
Monday, October 2, 2023
After conducting a traffic stop, Officer Liam Harrington arrested Jonathon R. Hiles, 30, of Charleston, South Carolina, for alleged operating under the influence.
A motor vehicle complaint was called in to the police department but the suspect vehicle was not located.
Daniel Stough, 65, of Martinsburg, West Virginia, was driving a 2021 Toyota Corolla and the vehicle was stopped on Mount Desert Street and waiting to turn left onto Holland Avenue. Justenah Page, 29, of Bar Harbor, was driving a 2015 Subaru Forester behind Stough and allegedly failed to stop the Subaru in time and allegedly ran into the rear of Stough’s vehicle. Stough complained of back pain as a result of the accident. There was no visible damage to Page’s vehicle and Stough’s vehicle suffered rear bumper damage.
Paul Houle, 69, of Ventura, California, was driving a 2021 Ford Expedition, east on Cottage Street. Bill Soukup, 42, of Bass Harbor, was driving a 2016 Ford F-250 west on Cottage Street. When the two vehicles passed each other, their mirrors struck one another, causing minor damage to the mirror housings. There was no reported personal injury.
Officer Lucas Keene provided traffic control for an oil truck that was disabled in the roadway.
Bennett Liscomb, 46, of Gouldsboro, was driving a 2019 GMC Sierra and was stopped in traffic at the intersection of the Crooked Road and Route 3. Madison Luck, 28, of Dallas, Texas, was driving a 2017 Subaru Outback and was stopped behind Liscomb. Liscomb allegedly backed into Luck because he wanted to get out of the away of other motorists. There was no reported personal injury. Liscomb’s vehicle had no visible damage and Luck’s vehicle had minor damage to the front bumper.
Jeffrey Lewis, 36, of Bar Harbor, was driving a 2022 International HV507 dump truck south on Main Street when he attempted to pull to the side to give an ambulance more room to get by him. While doing so, Lewis allegedly struck a 2021 Subaru Crosstrek that was parked in a parking space on Main Street and was last driven by Christina Reinhard, 55, of Brunswick. There was no reported personal injury. There was no damage to the dump truck. The Subaru suffered front driver’s side fender damage and a flattened tire.
Mental Health Liaison Melissa Tozier assisted a resident with an issue.
David Olson, 40, of Saint Paul, Minnesota, had parked his 2023 Nissan Rogue in a legal parking space on Main Street. Sarah Scaruto, 45, of Hood River, Oregon, had parked her 2020 Ford Transit van in a legal parking space on Main Street. An unknown vehicle driven by an unknown person hit both of the vehicles’ driver’s side mirrors causing minor damage. Both parked vehicles were unoccupied and there was no personal injury reported.
Kevin Cox, 66, of Ellsworth, was driving a 2008 GMC Sierra in the Jackson Lab parking lot and reportedly failed to see and allegedly struck the rear driver’s side quarter panel of a 2013 Honda Civic being operated by Emily Nickerson, 27, of Ellsworth. There was no personal injury reported. Both vehicles suffered minor to moderate damage.
A business reported a theft and a report was made. No further information or disposition was given.
Officer Elias Burne left multiple notices regarding the town’s prohibition on sleeping in vehicles after locating multiple people camping in their vehicles.
Tuesday, October 3, 2023
Officer Burne responded to a parking issue. No further information or disposition was given.
Officer Keene served someone paperwork regarding a prior complaint. No further information or disposition was given.
Officer Keene assisted people with a civil dispute. No further information or disposition was given.
Officer Keene took a report of an assault and warned the aggressor for harassment.
Rachael Wheeler, 25, of Mount Desert, parked her 2016 Toyota 4Runner in a legal parking spot on Main Street. An unknown vehicle struck the driver’s side mirror, damaging it. There was no reported personal injury as the vehicle was unoccupied at the time.
Officer Harrington took a report from someone. No further information or disposition was given.
Officer Chris Dickens and other officers responded to a “non-suspicious death” in Salisbury Cove.
Wednesday, October 4, 2023
Mental Health Liaison Tozier checked on a person who reported needing a ride home.
Officer Tim Bland summonsed Steven Boyer, 60, of Bar Harbor, for allegedly stealing from a business.
Officers participated in a presentation about domestic violence abuse at the Jesup Memorial Library.
Officer Troy Stanwood took a report of a civil problem. No further information or disposition was given.
Officer Stanwood assisted someone whose car had a dead battery.
Thursday, October 5, 2023
Officer Stanwood took a report of an animal on someone’s balcony. No further information or disposition was given.
Officer Jerrod Hardy conducted a well-being check.
Officer Hardy spoke with the owner of a business who was seeking advice on loss prevention.
Someone called the police department to complin about people smoking in town.
Officer Bland warned a person not to have contact with another person after the two people, who were co-workers, had a disagreement.
Mental Health Liaison Tozier was referred for follow-up care for a woman so that she could help the woman with an interpersonal issue.
Officer Hardy took someone into protective custody and transported them to MDI Hospital.
Officer Stanwood attempted to serve “official documents” to someone.
Officer Keene arrested Gary Allen, 66, no town listed, for alleged violation of a protection order.
Officer Bland was made aware of a motor vehicle complaint, but the suspect vehicle was heading off island. The Hancock County Sheriff’s Department was made aware of the complaint.
Officer Bland spoke to someone about a possible protection order violation. The complaint is under investigation.
Donald Resh, Jr., 47, of Gouldsboro, was driving a 2004 GMC Sierra and was slowing in traffic near the intersection of Route 102 and Gilbert Farm Road. Sarah MacQuinn, 41, of Southwest Harbor, was driving a 2012 Kia Soule and following behind Resh. MacQuinn allegedly failed to slow down in time and struck the rear of Rash’s vehicle. There was no reported personal injury. Resh’s vehicle sustained minor damage to the rear bumper and MacQuinn’s vehicle sustained disabling front end damage and was towed from the scene.
A man went to the police department to be fingerprinted and was fingerprinted by Officer J. Cake.
Officer Stanwood arrested Constance Stewart, 35, of Windham, Maine, for alleged felony criminal mischief, alleged unauthorized use of property, and alleged operating after suspension.
A person called the police department to have some information documented.
Officer Kaleb Payson responded to a report of a domestic dispute. After investigation, it was determined that no crime had been committed and the parties were separated for the night.
Friday, October 6, 2023
Officer Keene conducted a well-being check on a member of the Good Morning Program and found her to be all set.
A dog was reported to be running loose on the pier. The dog was captured and returned to its owner.
Sean P. Hall, 59, of Bar Harbor, was driving a 2020 Typhoon ladder truck and turning left from Main Street onto Firefly Lane. While turning left, the ladder truck allegedly made contact with a 2007 Mercedes 350, last operated by Anna M. Chase, 61, of New York, that was parked in a parking space on Main Street. There was no reported personal injury. The ladder truck suffered a minor scrape and the Mercedes suffered scratches and dents to the driver’s side rear corner.
Officer J. Cake spoke with someone about a problem they were having with their Facebook account being hacked.
Officer Stanwood took a report of a vehicle passing a stopped school bus with its red lights flashing. No further information or disposition was given.
Officer Hardy issued a no trespass warning to someone at the request of an apartment complex manager.
Frank Lella, 83, of Bar Harbor, was driving a 2017 Toyota Highlander and was turning right into the Bayside parking lot. While turning, Lella allegedly struck a 2014 Audi S5, which was last operated by Susan Saunders, and which was legally parked. There was no personal injury reported. The Highlander suffered right side damage and the Audi suffered front right corner damage.
Officer J. Cake arrested Laura Compton, 54, of Paradise, Nova Scotia, for alleged theft and alleged failure to give correct name and date of birth. Compton was transported to the Hancock County Jail.
An officer responded with the ambulance to a report of an intoxicated person at a residence. The person was subsequently transported to the hospital.
Saturday, October 7, 2023
Lt. Kevin Edgecomb responded to the area of Kitteridge Brook Road and Sylvan Road for a report of gunshots but could not locate anyone shooting.
Officer Bland responded to the pier for a report of dogs that were tied up on the pier. The owners of the dogs took ownership of them and moved along.
Officer Bland assisted with a non-criminal matter at the pier. No further information or disposition was given.
Officer Stanwood took a report of illegal clamming but could not locate anyone in the area.
Officer Bland handled a complaint about tents having been set up on the corner of Cottage Street and Main Street out of which merchandise was being sold. This was done on private property and had the okay of the property owner.
While an officer was driving west on Mount Desert Street, a man allegedly walked in front of his police vehicle. The man was checked by ambulance personal and was medically cleared. The incident is being investigated by the Southwest Harbor Police Department.
Officers assisted the ambulance with a medical event.
Officer Stanwood responded to a report of traffic cones in the roadway. Officer Stanwood found them to not be impeding traffic and discovered that they were part of the ongoing Route 3 construction.
Xiangyu Wang, 32, of Portland, was driving a 2021 Tesla MOD-Y and turning right onto Mount Desert Street from Ledgelawn Avenue. A 2022 Kia UT, being operated by an unknown person, allegedly turned into Wang’s vehicle, struck Wang’s vehicle, and then left the scene. There was no reported personal injury. There was unknown damage to the Kia and minor damage to the driver’s front corner of the Tesla.
Officer Stanwood took a report of an unoccupied vessel that was adrift in Frenchman Bay. The matter was referred to the Coast Guard.
Officer Payson conducted a well-being check and determined the subject to be all set.
An officer responded to a suspicious person complaint and as a result, moved a woman out of the area.
Officer J. Cake handled a tree in the roadway complaint. He located a tree that had fallen and damaged some fences. He was able to move the tree and he notified the owners of the fence and the Bar Harbor Highway Department.
Officer J. Cake responded to another tree in the roadway complaint. Once again, he was able to move the tree and notify the highway department.
Officer J. Cake received a report of a road flooding. The Maine Department of Transportation was notified.
Officer J. Cake assisted the Ellsworth Police Department. No further information or disposition was given.
Sunday, October 8, 2023
Officer Burne responded to a report of someone sleeping on the sidewalk. There was nobody in the area when Officer Burne arrived.
Officer Burne handled a complaint and as a result, someone was transported to the hospital. No further information or disposition was given.
Officer Amie Torrey responded to a bank alarm and determined that it was a false alarm.
Lt. Edgecomb checked on a member of the Good Morning Program and found the person to be fine.
Jennifer Lynn Horne, no age given, of Waynesboro, Georgia, was driving a 2015 Ford F-150 and backing out of a parking space at The River Church. Horne allegedly did not see the 2022 Jeep SUV parked behind her, which was last operated by Ian C. Reeves, no age given, of Southwest Harbor, and allegedly backed into the Jeep. There was no reported personal injury. The Ford suffered minor driver’s side rear bumper damage and the Jeep suffered minor driver’s side front bumper damage.
Officer Stanwood took a report of vehicles being operated erratically on Bloomfield Road. He was unable to locate any vehicles when he got into the area.
Officer Stanwood arrested Jordan Thomas, 24, of Bangor, for alleged aggravated domestic violence assault and alleged violation of conditions of release-protected party violation. Thomas was transported to the Hancock County Jail where he was being held without bail.
Nicole Clark, 22, of Bucksport, was driving a 2014 Chevy Impala downhill on Village Inn Road when she said she had a coughing fit and went off the roadway, striking a boulder. There was no reported personal injury. The vehicle had to be towed due to damage to the front passenger side.
Officer Burne assisted with an intoxicated make.
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 Fire Marshal’s News Release
Bangor Man Arrested and Charged with Arson in Brewer Fire
BANGOR—On Friday, September 22, 2023, at approximately 1:30 a.m., a fire was reported near the main entrance to Paradis Shop’n Save in Brewer. Brewer Police responded and discovered a fire near a wooden bench in front of the store. Investigators from the Fire Marshal’s Office responded and conducted an investigation. According to video surveillance, an unidentified male was seen leaving Mad Kat’s Bar and Grill, located next door to the Shop’n Save.
The male was eventually identified as 34-year-old Brendan McCourtney, of Bangor. McCourtney can be seen on video setting fire to a stack of newspapers next to a wooden bench outside of the main entrance to the store. McCourtney was charged with arson and criminal mischief and is scheduled to appear in Bangor District Court on Thursday, Dec. 7, 2023. The State Fire Marshal’s Office was assisted in the investigation by the Brewer Police Department.
MDEA Press Release
Two Men Arrested for Robbery with a Firearm in Milford
Milford, Maine—Two men were arrested on Monday, October 2, 2023, and charged with robbery and drug trafficking offenses stemming from a failed drug transaction involving firearms inside a residence located at 92 Bradley Road in Milford, Maine.
For the past several months, investigators assigned to MDEA’s North Central Task Force based in Bangor, along with the Penobscot County Sheriff’s Office have been investigating suspected drug trafficking activities by individuals residing at 92 Bradley Road in Milford. Late yesterday afternoon, MDEA investigators, along with Penobscot Sheriff’s Deputies became aware that an individual, who was believed to be at the residence to buy illicit drugs, was held at gunpoint and robbed by two individuals in the house.
In the investigation that followed, agents and deputies identified and arrested the two individuals responsible for the robbery. Charged thus far in connection with this investigation are:
1. Ernest Newson—(45) of Utica, NY. Charged with class A robbery with a firearm, class A aggravated trafficking in scheduled W drugs (crack cocaine), and violation of conditions of release (currently out on bail for domestic violence assault)
2. Brian Corvino—(35) of Milford, ME. Charged with class A robbery with a firearm.
Following the arrests of Newson and Corvino, a search warrant was prepared and executed on the Bradley Road residence. During the search, agents located and seized a 9mm handgun and a BB gun pistol that closely resembled a semi-automatic handgun.
Newson and Corvino were both transported to the Penobscot County Jail where they are currently being held without bail pending an initial appearance in court.
All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Assisting MDEA’s North Central Task Force was the Penobscot County Special Response Team (SRT) and the Milford Fire Department. This investigation is continuing, and more arrests are likely.
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.
Maine Fire Marshal’s News Release
Fire Marshal’s Office Completes Investigation into Fire at Houlton Airport
HOULTON—On Wednesday, September 20, at approximately 7:30 a.m., the Houlton Fire Department contacted the State Fire Marshal’s Office and requested assistance. The Fire Department had responded to a structure fire at 66 Industrial Street. The structure in question was a WWII era hangar that had been converted into useable space for several area businesses. The original hangar collapsed due to damage sustained during the fire. Several additions had been added throughout the years. The additions had been built with fire rated walls which remained standing. Three businesses were operating within the structure at the time of the fire. The businesses were Tiny Homes of Maine, Family Roots Medical Marijuana Dispensary, and HSC Auctions. Due to the severity of the fire and the completeness of the burn, the cause of the fire is undetermined.
Gorham Woman Who Was Subject of Silver Alert Dies in Crash
SILVER ALERT
LEWISTON—On Wednesday, October 4, 2023, at approximately 2:35 a.m., troopers responded to a tractor trailer vs. sedan crash at mile marker 80 southbound in Lewiston. troopers arrived on scene and confirmed this to be a fatal crash. 78-year-old Jean Robinson, of Gorham, was operating a gray 2014 Subaru Outback and was pulled over just prior to the southbound departure ramp at exit 80. The 2021 Freightliner tractor trailer operated by 63-year-old David Alicea, of Nashua, NH, was traveling south in lane two and observed the sedan pulled over in the breakdown lane. The initial investigation indicates the sedan then turned left into the lane of travel of the tractor trailer causing it to hit the sedan broadside.
Jean Robinson was pronounced deceased on scene. A Silver Alert for Jean Robinson had been issued on Tuesday, October 3, 2023, by the Gorham Police Department. Robinson suffers with cognitive impairment and her exact whereabouts were unknown prior to the crash. She was last seen on Tuesday, October 3, 2023, and was supposed to be traveling to Southwest Harbor but never arrived.
Alicea was not injured in the crash. The crash remains under investigation. The Maine Turnpike Authority, the Lewiston Police Department, Lewiston Fire & Rescue, and the Sabattus Police Department assisted on scene.
Maine State Police Announce Arrest in Edgecomb Homicide
EDGECOMB—On Friday morning October 6, 2023, detectives with the Maine State Police Major Crimes Unit Central arrested 29-year-old Tyler Witham-Jordan, of Edgecomb, charging him with murder in connection with the Christmas 2022 death of 3-year-old Makinzlee Handrahan. On Sunday, December 25, 2022, at approximately 7:37 a.m., the Lincoln County Communications Center received a 911 call in Edgecomb for a 3-year-old that was not breathing. The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Augusta conducted an autopsy and ruled the death a homicide. The cause of death is being withheld at this time. At the time of Makinzlee’s death, Witham-Jordan was her mother’s boyfriend. He has been transported to the Two Bridges Jail in Wiscasset. His first court appearance will most likely be next week.
Previous Release December 28, 2022
The three-year-old child in Edgecomb, pronounced dead on Sunday, December 25, 2022, has been identified as Makinzlee Handrahan, of Edgecomb. An autopsy was conducted at the Office of Chief Medical Examiner in Augusta on Monday, December 26, 2022, and her death was ruled a homicide. Detectives continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding her death. Additional information will be released when it is appropriate to do so.
Previous Release December 26, 2022
On Sunday, December 25, 2022, at approximately 7:37 a.m., the Lincoln County Communications Center received a 911 call in Edgecomb regarding a 3-year-old child that was not breathing. Rescue and Deputies from the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Department responded to the residence which was located on Route 1. The child was transported to Miles Memorial Hospital where the child was pronounced dead.
The Maine State Police Major Crimes Unit was contacted which is protocol in all child deaths in Maine. Detectives and Evidence Response Technicians responded and worked late into the night and all-day Monday. An autopsy was conducted at the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Augusta on Monday. The cause and manner of death is being withheld at the request of the Attorney General’s Office. The investigation into the death continues.
Maine State Police Investigate Homicide in Lisbon Falls
LISBON FALLS—On Friday, October 6, 2023, at approximately 7:00 a.m., Firefighters working at the Lisbon Falls Fire Station on Main Street in Lisbon Falls heard a woman scream in the area of Main Street. As Firefighters were drawn to the roadway, they observed a male step from a vehicle and shoot himself in the head with a handgun. Additional emergency responders were called to the scene and transported the male, 38-year-old Benjamin Peterson of Pittston to Central Maine Medical Center where he is in critical condition.
Emergency responders located a deceased female in the driver’s seat of the vehicle at that time. The lower section of Main Street was shut down for several hours as Maine State Police and Lisbon Police Detectives investigated the scene. The female victim was transported to the Office of Chief Medical Examiner in Augusta this morning where an autopsy was performed. The Medical Examiner’s office identified the victim as 30-year-old Kylee Turcotte of Lisbon Falls and ruled her death a homicide. Turcotte and Peterson were in a former relationship together. Maine State Police and Lisbon Police continue to investigate the circumstances that led to this isolated incident and reaffirm that there is no threat to the public at this time.
Benjamin Peterson of Pittston succumbed to his injuries Friday, October 6, 2023, at 10:22 p.m. The case remains under investigation.
HANCOCK COUNTY SHERIFF DEPARTMENT PRESS RELEASES
Some of the information below is repeated in multiple releases.