Southwest Harbor Officers Rescue a Dozen Ducklings From Storm Drain
The Bar Harbor Story is generously sponsored by Thrive Juice Bar & Kitchen.
SOUTHWEST HARBOR—According to the Southwest Harbor weekly press release, Sgt. Ryan Blakeney and Officer James Kamorski received a report of 12 “distressed” ducklings that had fallen into a storm drain on Main Street in Southwest Harbor.
Upon arrival, the officers found that the drain’s cover had already been removed and the drain was full of water. That water hampered their efforts to get the ducklings out of the drain. After a quick phone call, the officers were able to obtain a fishing net from a local citizen. They used the net to lift the baby ducks out of the drain.
The Southwest Harbor Highway Department assisted by placing the ducklings in a box once they were out of the drain and assuring that they stayed safely in the box until all 12 were out of the drain and together.
The ducklings were carried to a safer area, with the distressed mother following behind, and reunited with their mother where they “resumed normal duck family activities.”
“It was a pretty good feeling to be able to reunite them,” said Sgt. Blakeney.
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, May 13, 2025
Officer Kevin Edgecomb responded to the Eagle Lake Road in Bar Harbor for the report of an abandoned electric bicycle and upon arrival, he discovered that there was a sweater caught in the rear wheel of the bike. The owner showed up and retrieved the bike.
Officer Shelby O’Neil assisted the Bar Harbor Fire Department with a medical call in Bar Harbor.
Officer Justin Burnett fingerprinted a Bar Harbor resident for unstated purposes.
Officer Edgecomb assisted the Mount Desert Fire Department with a lift assist of a patient in Mount Desert.
Officer O’Neil received information regarding an elderly person in Bar Harbor.
Someone brought a dog that they had found roaming on Peabody Drive in Mount Desert to the Mount Desert Police Department. The dog owner retrieved the dog shortly thereafter.
Someone in Bar Harbor made a parking complaint to Officer O’Neil.
Hunter Mooers, 18, of Palmyra, was riding a 2002 Honda CBR600 motorcycle south on Route 3 in Bar Harbor when he had to stop fast to avoid stopped traffic at the head of the island traffic light. Kylee Sprague, 19, of Palmyra, was riding a 2022 Suzuki GSX250 motorcycle south on Route 3 and allegedly could not stop in time to avoid hitting the rear tire area of Mooers motorcycle, causing the motorcycle and Mooers to tip over. Mooers stated that he had a small scrape on his left leg and both motorcycles received very minor damage.
Officer Troy Stanwood assisted Acadia National Park rangers with a noise complaint at Black Woods Campground.
Wednesday, May 14, 2025
Officer Edgecomb checked on a vehicle that was reported to be parked on the sidewalk in Northeast Harbor. He found that the vehicle was parked in an area that had been cut out of the sidewalk to provide parking for the associated residence.
Officers Ted Cake and Caleb Mora responded to a verbal disturbance in Bar Harbor and found that no assault had occurred and separated the involved people.
Officer Mora responded to a motor vehicle complaint in Bar Harbor regarding a vehicle that was “brake checking” the vehicle behind it. Officer Mora located the suspect vehicle but found it to be unoccupied.
Sgt. Chris Dickens took a report of vehicles speeding in the area of Derby Lane in Bar Harbor.
Sgt. Dickens and Officer T. Cake responded to a report of a vehicle operating erratically on Route 3 in Bar Harbor. After locating the suspect vehicle and a subsequent investigation, Sgt. Dickens arrested Timothy Millett, 36, no hometown given, for alleged operating under the influence.
Officer Mora took a report of someone driving the wrong way on a Bar Harbor road but could not locate the suspect vehicle.
Responding to a complaint about people drinking and acting obnoxiously on Hadley Point Beach in Bar Harbor, Sgt. Jerrod Hardy located a group of people having a campfire and “acting very cordial.”
Sgt. Hardy assisted the Hancock County Sheriff’s Department by covering a minor accident in Trenton where Kenneth J. Kuscin, 61, of Trenton had allegedly struck a rigid metal mailbox with a 2011 Cadillac sedan. There were no reported injuries but the Cadillac had to be towed from the scene due to disabling damage.
Officer Nathan Formby was in route to a citizen assist call in Bar Harbor to help with a flat tire but had to divert himself to respond to an emergency call. Officers were unable to assist with the flat tire.
Officer Formby responded to a report of an intoxicated person in Bar Harbor. The person was issued a warning for disorderly conduct and placed in the care of a sober friend.
Officer Formby attempted to perform a well-being check in Bar Harbor but could not make contact with the person to be checked on. Officers will be following up.
Thursday, May 15, 2025
Officer Kaleb Payson conducted a security check at a Mount Desert business.
Officer Formby checked on the well-being of an intoxicated person in Bar Harbor and found that they had made it to their hotel for the night.
Officer Formby transported someone from the hospital to the person’s residence in Bar Harbor.
Officer Stanwood had two vehicles towed from High Street in Bar Harbor for obstructing paving.
Officer Mora responded to a noise complaint regarding loud music coming from a vehicle in Mount Desert but the vehicle had left the area before his arrival.
Someone provided the Bar Harbor Police Department with information.
Sgt. Soren Sundberg aided a Mount Desert resident after their vehicle broke down. The vehicle was towed by a local business.
The Bar Harbor Police Department took a complaint regarding a speeding motorcycle in Bar Harbor but no officers were in the area.
Officer Stanwood performed a requested well-being check in Bar Harbor but was unable to locate the person being checked on.
Sgt. Sunberg responded to a report of an injured bird in Bar Harbor but could not locate an injured bird in the area.
Sgt. Dickens performed a well-being check on a man in Bar Harbor and had the Bar Harbor Fire Department also check on the man.
Officer Payson responded to a report of two dogs fighting in Mount Desert. Officer Payson spoke with both dog owners but no charges were filed.
Friday, May 16, 2025
Officer Payson responded to a report of a suspicious vehicle parked in a driveway in Bar Harbor, located the vehicle, and spoke with the driver about their behavior.
Officer O’Neil received a report of a loose dog in Bar Harbor and notified the dog’s owner who retrieved the dog.
Sgt. Sundberg assisted another agency with locating a missing juvenile. The juvenile was located in Bar Harbor and returned to their home in another town.
Officers responded to a Bar Harbor business for a report of a theft. After an investigation, Maude Kusserow, no age given, of Seal Harbor, was issued a summons for alleged theft by unauthorized taking or transfer.
An out-of-state sex offender provided information to the Bar Harbor Police Department, letting the agency know that they will be in the area for a short time.
A man called 911 to request assistance in getting his canoe anchor unstuck from a rock on Long Pond in Mount Desert. There were no available resources to assist the man, so he was forced to cut his anchor line to free his canoe.
Officer O’Neil responded to a report of a vehicle swerving all over the road in Bar Harbor but was unable to locate the vehicle.
Mary Lee Bayne, 82, of Northeast Harbor, was driving a 2023 Subaru Forester west on Sargeant Drive in Mount Desert when she allegedly became distracted and left the roadway to the right and struck two large coping stones. This caused the vehicle to roll over and come to rest on its passenger side. Bayne was transported to MDI Hospital for minor injuries and the vehicle was towed due to damage “over the entire vehicle.”
Following a traffic stop in Bar Harbor, Officer O’Neil summoned Craig Chase Jr., 21, of Stonington, for alleged failure to register a motor vehicle.
Sgt. Dickens received a report of a vehicle speeding and making bad passes on the Crooked Road in Bar Harbor. No further information or disposition was given.
Officer Stanwood is investigating a report of a vehicle being damaged at a Mount Desert business.
Saturday, May 17, 2025
Following a traffic stop in Bar Harbor, Officer Formby arrested Jacob Teto, 25, of Shelton, Connecticut, for alleged operating under the influence. Teto was transported to the Hancock County Jail.
Following a traffic stop in Bar Harbor, Officer Stanwood arrested Silverrose Cunningham, 31, of Franklin, for alleged operating under the influence. Cunningham was transported to the Hancock County Jail.
Sgt. Dickens assisted the Bar Harbor Fire Department with a medical call in Bar Harbor.
Officer O’Neil assisted the MDI YMCA with its healthy kids day event.
Aiden Kidder, 18, of Ellsworth, was driving a 2012 Ford Focus east on the Indian Point Road in Mount Desert when he allegedly lost control of the vehicle on a curve, left the roadway to the right, and struck a tree. Kidder was treated by the Mount Desert ambulance for a cut on his forearm and the vehicle was towed from the scene due to front end damage.
Mental Health Liaison Melissa Tozier met with a family in Mount Desert that is experiencing crisis.
Sgt. Dickens and Officer Formby responded to a report of a vehicle being operated in an erratic manner in Bar Harbor at the head of the island but could not locate the suspect vehicle.
Following a traffic stop in Bar Harbor, Officer Stanwood arrested Harry Johnson, 62, of Trenton, for alleged operating under the influence. After further investigation, Johnson was released with a summons for alleged driving to endanger.
Sunday, May 18, 2025
Officer Mora conducted a traffic control detail for a private event in Bar Harbor.
Sgt. Dickens responded to a report of loud music in the area of School Street and Edgewood Street but could not locate any music source.
Officer Payson responded to a motor vehicle complaint in Bar Harbor, located the suspect vehicle, and warned the driver for their operation.
Someone gave the Bar Harbor Police Department some information.
Following a traffic stop in Bar Harbor, Sgt. Dickens arrested Justin Mejia, 47, of Ellsworth, for alleged operating under the influence. Mejia was transported to the Hancock County Jail.
Officer Payson responded to a noise complaint in Mount Desert but failed to locate any noise.
Monday, May 19, 2025
Sgt. Doug Brundrett and Officer Elias Burne responded to a medical emergency in Bar Harbor.
Chief David Kerns took a report of online harassment in Bar Harbor.
Officer T. Cake checked on a vehicle that was parked in Northeast Harbor with its alarm going off. The vehicle was secure and the alarm quieted a short time later.
Following a traffic stop in Bar Harbor, Nathan Quiroz, 42, of Orland, was summoned for alleged criminal speed: 86 mph in a 45-mph zone.
Officer Burnett assisted a Bar Harbor resident whose electric wheelchair had become stuck.
Officer Payson responded to a motor vehicle complaint in Bar Harbor but could not locate the suspect vehicle.
Officer Burnett assisted a Bar Harbor resident with getting resources for proper care.
Officer Burnett responded to information regarding a possible vehicle needing assistance in Bar Harbor. Officer Burnett located the vehicle and determined that there was no emergency.
Tuesday, May 20, 2025
After responding to a motor vehicle accident complaint on the Crooked Road in Bar Harbor, Officer Stanwood arrested Philip Cotoni Jr., 56, of Bucksport for alleged operating under the influence. Cotoni was transported to the Hancock county Jail.
SOUTHWEST HARBOR AND TREMONT
The following incidents occurred in Southwest Harbor or Tremont last week according to the Southwest Harbor Police Department police log, which is publicly released information.
Monday, May 12, 2025
Sgt. Blakeney served paperwork to a Southwest Harbor resident.
Sgt. Blakeney is investigating a reported theft in Southwest Harbor.
Tuesday, May 13, 2025
Officer Rick Graham is investigating a complaint made by a man who walked into the Southwest Harbor Police Department and stated that his vehicle was struck the previous evening in one of three possible business locations. The vehicle sustained minor damage.
Officer Rick Graham made notice to someone in Tremont, who was the defendant in a protection order, that the protection order had been canceled by the Ellsworth District Court.
A Tremont summer resident went to the Southwest Harbor Police Department and spoke with Officer Graham about a family issue and was advised that it was a civil issue.
After receiving a complaint regarding a vehicle driving erratically in Bass Harbor near the post office, Officer Graham located the described vehicle and warned the driver for their operation.
Wednesday, May 14, 2025
Officer Graham responded to Tremont for a complaint that the complainant’s ex-boyfriend had vandalized her apartment. When Officer Graham arrived, the complainant was not home, there was not any visible vandalism, and the complainant was not answering her phone. No further information or disposition was given.
Sgt. Blakeney responded to a complaint involving a juvenile at a Southwest Harbor address and spoke with the involved parties.
Sgt. Blakeney responded to a complaint in Southwest Harbor regarding a vehicle driving too fast in a parking lot and almost striking the complainant. The suspect vehicle was gone upon Sgt. Blakeney’s arrival.
Officer Kristen Roulet responded to a medical call in Tremont but was called off prior to her arrival because the injured person had already been transported to the hospital in a private vehicle.
Thursday, May 15, 2025
Officer Kamorski responded to a reported traffic hazard on the Seawall Road in Southwest Harbor and was able to rectify the situation.
Officer Kamorski responded to a motor vehicle complaint in Southwest Harbor regarding a driver for a local business. Officer Kamorski investigated the complaint and warned the driver for disorderly conduct.
Officer Kamorski responded to a residential burglary alarm in Southwest Harbor and found an open door upon arrival. Officer Kamorski cleared the house and found nobody inside and nothing suspicious.
Sgt. Blakeney received a report of an ongoing civil issue in Tremont and will be contacting the parties involved.
Officer Kamorski responded to a complaint involving a juvenile at a Southwest Harbor address and spoke with the involved parties.
Officer Kamorski is investigating a reported theft from a Southwest Harbor residence.
Officer Kamorski responded with the ambulance service to a medical call in Southwest Harbor.
Friday, May 16, 2025
Officer Roulet received a report of an incident that occurred several years ago to follow up on.
Officer Roulet responded to a verbal altercation in Tremont and stood by to keep the peace.
Officer Roulet located two dogs walking on the side of the road in Tremont and took them to the Southwest Harbor Police Department. Pictures of the dogs were posted on the police department’s Facebook page and the owners of the dogs retrieved them.
The Southwest Harbor Police Department took a report regarding a possible dog bite in Tremont but before an officer could respond, the Tremont Animal Control Officer responded and handled the call.
Saturday, May 17, 2025
A Southwest Harbor resident reported that their 11-year-old child had run away from home within the last hour. Officer Graham responded and the child was located within minutes and returned home.
Officer Graham responded to look at a vehicle that a Tremont resident said was damaged by a manhole cover that was too high in the construction zone in Southwest Harbor.
A Tremont resident reported some property missing from their residence but the items were located within the residence by Officer Graham.
Officer Graham perfume a requested well-being check in Tremont and found the person to be fine.
Sunday, May 18, 2025
Officer Kamorski responded to a report of a vehicle in a ditch in Southwest Harbor. Officer Kamorski determined that the vehicle did not sustain reportable damage, there were no injuries, and the vehicle was pulled out of the ditch by another Southwest Harbor resident.
Officer Kamorski responded to a report of a suspicious vehicle on Freeman Ridge Road in Southwest Harbor and resolved the issue.
Officer Kamorski responded to a motor vehicle complaint in Tremont but was unable to locate the suspect vehicle.
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 Arrests Rockport Woman for Arson
ROCKPORT—On Tuesday afternoon, May 13, 2025, a fire destroyed a single-family home at 327 West Street in Rockport. Rockport Police Department and Rockport Fire Department responded to the residence shortly after the fire was reported. Upon arrival, first responders discovered evidence of several additional fires on the property. Those fires were no longer actively burning.
The sole occupant of the home, 35-year-old Andrea Annis, escaped the fire on her own. She was not injured. After an initial investigation Annis was arrested at the scene by investigators from the Office of State Fire Marshal, with assistance from the Rockport Police Department. She faces multiple charges, including several counts of arson, refusing to submit to arrest or detention, burning prohibited materials, and burning without a permit.
Following her arrest, Annis was transported to a local hospital for evaluation. Once discharged, she will be taken to the Knox County Jail. Further details are not being released at this time, as the investigation remains ongoing.
State Fire Marshal’s Office Solves Multiple Arsons in Poland and Yarmouth
POLAND and YARMOUTH—A joint investigation by the Office of State Fire Marshal and the Yarmouth Police Department has led to the resolution of multiple arson cases in the Androscoggin County town of Poland and the Cumberland County town of Yarmouth.
Investigators have determined that seven fires occurring between November 2024 and March 2025 were intentionally set. These incidents included vacant buildings, construction sites, and a U.S. Forest Service sign:
11/17/2024 – Elan School, Poland (vacant building)
11/17/2024 – 508 West Main Street, Yarmouth (building materials)
01/02/2025 – 508 West Main Street, Yarmouth (vacant residence under construction)
03/01/2025 – Elan School, Poland (vacant building)
03/01/2025 – 14 Madeleine Point Road, Yarmouth (vacant residence)
03/07/2025 – Elan School, Poland (vacant building)
03/19/2025 – Princes Point Rd & Lafayette St, Yarmouth (U.S. Forest Service sign)
Arrests and Charges:
Two 18-year-olds have been arrested and charged in connection with one fire each:
James Akers, of Portland, was arrested on March 20, 2025, for the March 19 fire involving the U.S. Forest Service sign in Yarmouth. He was transported to the Cumberland County Jail and later released on bail.
Jacob Kaiser, of Biddeford, was arrested on May 13, 2025, for the March 1 fire at 14 Madeleine Point Road in Yarmouth, which destroyed a single-family residence. He was transported to the Cumberland County Jail and later released on bail.
In addition, two 17-year-old juveniles have been identified as involved in these incidents. Due to their age, their names will not be released. They are expected to face charges as well.
While Akers and Kaiser have each been charged in connection with a single incident, evidence suggests both may be connected to additional fires, and other criminal activity within the same time period. Evidence in those cases will be presented to the Cumberland and Androscoggin County Grand Juries in the coming months. Additional charges are anticipated.
This remains an active and ongoing investigation.
Agencies Assisting:
Maine Forest Service
Yarmouth Fire Department
Cumberland Police Department
Portland Police Department
Poland Fire Department
Androscoggin County Sheriff’s Office
The cooperation of these agencies has been critical in advancing the investigation and bringing charges in these cases.
Maine Drug Enforcement Arrests Portland Man For Pound of Fentanyl and Quarter Pound of Cocaine
PORTLAND—On Wednesday, May 14, 2025, at approximately 5 p.m., agents from the MDEA Cumberland District Task Force and officers of the Portland Police Department’s Crime Reduction Unit (CRU) conducted a vehicle stop of a Ford Escort on Ocean Avenue in Portland. Agents had been investigating the operator of the vehicle, Abdirahmon A. Adbullahi, for illegal drug trafficking throughout the Greater Portland area.
Adbullahi was arrested without incident for unlawful drug trafficking after being found in possession of approximately 72 grams of fentanyl and 63 grams of cocaine base, packaged for resale. Adbullahi was transported to the Cumberland County Jail by Portland Police where bail was set at $50,000 cash.
Subsequent to Adbullahi’s arrest, agents drafted and secured a search warrant for Adbullahi’s residence located at 48 Elmwood Street, Portland. As a result of the search warrant, nearly one pound of fentanyl, (400grams), more than a quarter pound of cocaine & cocaine base (187 grams), three firearms, $3000 in suspected drug proceeds, and other items indicative of drug processing and distribution was seized.
Adbullahi has been charged with aggravated trafficking in schedule W drugs (fentanyl & cocaine), class A and trafficking in schedule W drugs (fentanyl & cocaine) class B.
All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
The MDEA stands committed to working with all federal, state, county, and local law enforcement partners in order to continue to identify and disrupt drug trafficking organizations who are attempting to distribute illicit drugs like fentanyl, cocaine and methamphetamine in the State of Maine.
If you or someone you know suffers from substance, use disorder, please call 211 or text your zip code to 898-211 for a list of resources available in your area.
If you have information about this investigation or the illegal sale of drugs in your community, you are urged to contact the Maine Drug Enforcement office closest to you or by texting MDEA to TIP411 (847411) or by calling the MDEA tip-line at 1-800-452-6457.
Maine State Police Investigating Crash That Seriously Injured Two People on I-395 in Bangor
BANGOR—On Friday, May 16, 2025, at approximately 8:45 p.m., troopers from Troop I responded to a serious single vehicle crash on I-395 at mile marker 1 in Bangor. The preliminary investigation indicates that 23-year-old Devon Ireland, of Bangor, was driving a 1992 Mazda Miata westbound when he failed to negotiate a turn and lost control of the vehicle. The car went over the guardrail and came to rest upside down across both eastbound lanes of travel.
The passenger, 23-year-old Lauren McCann, of Bangor, who does not appear to have been wearing a seatbelt, was ejected from the vehicle and sustained life-threatening injuries.
Ireland also suffered significant injuries in the crash. Speed and alcohol are believed to be contributing factors. Both occupants were transported to Eastern Maine Medical Center for treatment.
Troop I was assisted at the scene by members of the Northern Field Troop. The vehicle was removed by Union Street Towing. The crash remains under investigation.
State Police Probe Death of Four-Year-Old
LEWISTON—On May 17, 2025, at approximately 4:55 a.m., the Lewiston Police Department received a 911 call for a four-year-old with a gunshot wound to the head at 93 Pierce Street, apartment number two. The Lewiston Police Department, Lewiston Fire Department, and United Ambulance Service responded. The four-year-old was transported to Central Maine Medical Center in Lewiston, where the child was pronounced deceased at 7:08 a.m.
The child was then transported to the Medical Examiner's office for an autopsy. The Lewiston Police Department requested the Maine State Police Major Crimes Unit South respond to assist with the investigation. The Department of Health and Human Services was notified, per protocol, when there is a death of a child in a household. The cause and manner of death are pending.
The Maine State Police Major Crimes Unit South, Lewiston Police Department, and DHHS are still investigating this case. More details will be released as they become available.
Fire Marshal’s Office is Requesting Public Assistance
BIDDEFORD—On Saturday, May 17, 2025, at approximately 8:45 a.m., the Biddeford Fire Department and Biddeford Police Department were dispatched to 130 May Street, the May Street Recreation Facility, following a report of a previously extinguished bathroom fire. The Biddeford Recreation Department's administration reported the incident.
Due to the suspicious nature of the incident, the Maine State Fire Marshal's Office (FMO) has been called in to assist with the ongoing investigation.
Anyone with information related to this incident is urged to contact the FMO Arson Hot-Line at 1-888-870-6162, the Biddeford Police Department, or the Biddeford Fire Department.
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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