Still No Suspect in Town Hill Hit and Run
Police logs
BAR HARBOR—Police have no suspects after an early morning hit and run in Town Hill on July 24 damaged two parked vehicles.
An unknown vehicle ran the stop sign at the intersection of Indian Point Road and Route 102 in Town Hill and crashed in to a 2014 Subaru Outback and a 2022 GMC pickup truck, both of which were parked and unoccupied.
The offending vehicle immediately fled the scene.
The vehicles are owned by Chelsea White, of Bar Harbor, and Joseph Grollino, of Woodville, respectively. The Subaru suffered extensive damage and the pickup truck suffered minor damage.
As of July 30, according to Officer Ken Mitchell of the Bar Harbor/Mount Desert Police Department, no suspects have been identified. Full article.
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, July 22, 2024
Following a traffic stop in Bar Harbor, Officer Nathan Formby arrested Ashish Aswani, 36, of Florida for alleged operating under the influence of drugs.
A vehicle became entangled in phone lines on the Crooked Road in Bar Harbor. Officers responded and directed traffic until Consolidated Communications could respond and get the vehicle freed from the lines.
An officer responded to a disabled motor vehicle that was in the middle of Cromwell Harbor Road in Bar Harbor and provided traffic control until a tow truck could arrive and remove the vehicle.
Officer Ted Cake had a vehicle towed that was completely blocking a Bar Harbor resident’s driveway after trying to locate or contact the vehicle’s owner or driver. They were not located.
Officer Zack Kline responded to a medical alarm at a Bar Harbor residence and found it to have been an accidental triggering.
Ricky Turner, 64, of Newport, was driving a 2003 Freightliner tractor trailer and making a wide turn in the parking lor of Salsbury Hardware on Route 102 in Bar Harbor when the front of the truck struck a large rock. The rock caused an oil spill and disabled the truck. There was no injury and the truck was towed by a tow truck owned by the trucking company.
Officer T. Cake assisted another agency in Bar Harbor.
Mental Health Liaison Melissa Tozier met with a Bar Harbor community member to discuss distressing life circumstances.
Officer T. Cake served some paperwork in Bar Harbor for the Ellsworth Police Department.
Officer Elias Burne responded to an agency assist request at the head of the island but his assistance was not ultimately needed.
Officer Amie Torrey took a report of a damaged mailbox from a Bar Harbor resident.
Officer Torrey took a report of a scam event in Mount Desert. No further information or disposition was given.
Sgt. Jerrod Hardy took a report of two people who were stranded on Bar Island because they were unaware of the tide schedule. Sgt. Hardy passed the complaint and the complainant’s information on to a supervisory Acadia National Park ranger.
Officer Formby took a report of an animal problem in Mount Desert. The issue resolved itself.
Tuesday, July 23, 2024
Officers responded to a noise complaint in Bar Harbor. No further information or disposition was given.
Officer Formby took a report of a parking problem in Mount Desert and is working with the town’s harbormaster to resolve the issue.
A Bar Harbor business reported receiving counterfeit money.
A Trenton resident called the Bar Harbor Police Department to report that her cell phone may have been taken while she was shopping in Bar Harbor. The phone was found in a Bar Harbor business and the complainant was told where she could retrieve it.
Teyon Henry, 27, of Somerville, Massachusetts, was driving a 2024 Freightliner box truck westbound on Eagle Lake Road in Bar Harbor when the truck drifted off the roadway to the right. Henry allegedly overcorrected which caused the truck to roll onto its side and block both lanes of traffic. Henry had to be extricated from the truck and had some minor injuries but refused transport to the hospital. The truck was righted and towed from the scene. Full article.
The Bar Harbor Police Department received a motor vehicle operation complaint from the Town Hill area but all officers were tied up on a crash scene.
MHL Tozier spoke with someone in Bar Harbor who was experiencing distressing circumstances.
Officer Troy Stanwood took a parking complaint in Northeast Harbor. No further information or disposition was given.
Officer Burne provided a permit to someone in Bar Harbor. No further information or disposition was given.
Wednesday, July 24, 2024
Officer Kaleb Payson responded to a motor vehicle complaint in Mount Desert, located the vehicle, and warned the driver for their operation.
Officer Kline spoke with someone at the Bar Harbor Police Department about an erratic driver in Otter Creek. The complainant was able to provide a license plate number and Officer Kline was able to make contact with the driver of the other vehicle. Officer Kline learned that this was a road rage incident and advised both parties to contact the police department the next time anything like this occurs.
A small dog was brought to the Mount Desert Police Department. At the time, officers were trying to locate the dog’s owner.
Sgt. Soren Sundberg took a parking complaint in Mount Desert and the vehicle was gone upon his arrival.
Officer Lukas Keene conducted traffic control for a private event in Bar Harbor.
Someone reported some harassing behavior to Officer Stanwood in Bar Harbor.
Officer Kline responded to a speeding complaint on Beech Hill Road in Mount Desert, located the driver at a residence, and advised him of the complaint and told him to watch his speed.
Officer Stanwood took a motor vehicle complaint on Eden Street in Bar Harbor but was out of position to locate the offending vehicle.
Thursday, July 25, 2024
A motor vehicle complaint is under investigation in Bar Harbor.
Officer Caleb Mora served court paperwork to a man in Bar Harbor.
Lt. Kevin Edgecomb and Sgt. Doug Brundrett worked a private detail at the Jackson Laboratory in Bar Harbor.
Officer Burne responded to a complaint of a dog in a car in Bar Harbor, but the vehicle left before he arrived.
A Bar Harbor resident and business requested that someone be issued a no trespass and cease harassment notice but that person never showed up to be issued the warnings.
Officer Stanwood is investigating a report of suspicious behavior in Bar Harbor.
Officer Kline conducted a private detail at a Bar Harbor theater.
Officer Burne took a report of gunshots in Bar Harbor but no issues were found.
Officer Stanwood assisted someone with a dead vehicle battery in Bar Harbor.
Officer Stanwood gave two people a ride to their campground in Bar Harbor.
Friday, July 26, 2024
Someone reported a fight at a Bar Harbor business and Officer Stanwood issued two men warnings for disorderly conduct.
After responding to an altercation at the Thirsty Whale in Bar Harbor, Officer Stanwood issued a Title 28-A administrative liquor violation notice – licensee being visually impaired on premises to someone.
Someone called the Mount Desert Police Department from out of state to report some information to Officer T. Cake.
Sgt. Sundberg took a complaint of harassment in Bar Harbor but determined that the behavior did not rise to the level of harassment by Maine criminal standards.
The Bar Harbor Police Department took a report of someone violating a municipal ordinance but they had left the area prior to police arrival.
A Mount Desert woman reported her dog missing, but later advised that she had found her dog.
Officer Mora summonsed Percy Harding, 65, of Farmingdale, for alleged criminal speeding in Bar Harbor.
Sgt. Sundberg responded to a 911 call in Bar Harbor and located a woman that had been injured in a bicycle crash. She was taken to the hospital by ambulance.
Officers worked a private detail at the Pot and Kettle Club in Bar Harbor.
Officer Stanwood is investigating a road rage incident in Bar Harbor.
Officer Timothy Frost took a report of a vehicle operating erratically on Route 3 in Bar Harbor but the vehicle was not located.
Officer Frost responded to a possible fight in Mount Desert. After investigation it was determined that no charges will be filed.
Following a traffic stop in Bar Harbor, Shannon Simons, 39, of Bar Harbor, was arrested for alleged operating under the influence by Officer Justin Burnett.
Saturday, July 27, 2024
Following a traffic stop in Bar Harbor, Haleigh Hammar, 28, of Tremont, was arrested for alleged operating under the influence by Officer Stanwood.
Lt. Edgecomb, Sgt. Brundrett, and Officer T. Cake worked a private detail for the Mount Desert Garden Club tour.
Officer Kline responded to a dog in a car complaint in Bar Harbor but could not locate the vehicle.
Officer Stanwood responded to a parking complaint in Bar Harbor and moved the vehicles along.
A vehicle was illegally parked and obstructing intersection movement in Bar Harbor. The vehicle was ticketed and then later towed.
Officer Torrey responded to a complaint of two men being disorderly at MDI High School, but they were gone upon her arrival.
Officer Mora responded to a disorderly complaint at a Bar Harbor Restaurant regarding a smoking issue. “The group of patrons were trespassed from the restaurant,” the report states.
Officer Mora handled a delayed report of vandalism in Bar Harbor and as a result of investigation, Joseph Wagner, 59, of Sicklerville, New Jersey, was summonsed for alleged criminal mischief, alleged leaving the scene of a property damage crash, and alleged failure to notify owner of an unattended vehicle of the crash.
Officer Liam Harrington responded to a report of barking dogs in Bar Harbor. No further information or disposition was given.
Officer Stanwood responded to a loud noise complaint in Seal Harbor and found it to be unfounded.
Officer Stanwood collected a dog that had been found in Northeast Harbor, made a Facebook post on the police agency’s Facebook page, and was able to reunite the dog with its owners.
Sunday, July 28, 2024
Officer Mora handled a motor vehicle complaint in Mount Desert but determined that there was insufficient evidence to pursue any traffic violations or criminal charges.
Weichieh Tu, 55, of Hampden, Maine, was driving a 2008 Toyota RAV4 north on Route 3 near Ocean Mist Road in Bar Harbor when the RAV4 abruptly left the roadway to the right and hit a driveway. This caused the vehicle to roll over and come to rest facing the opposite way, up against a fence. Tu had non-life-threatening injuries and the vehicle was totaled. Initial investigation points to a medical event or driver exhaustion as the cause.
Officer Stanwood received some information regarding an ongoing neighbor dispute in Bar Harbor.
Officer Stanwood responded to a report of someone having a mental health crisis in Bar Harbor.
Officer Payson responded to a motor vehicle complaint in Bar Harbor but the vehicle had made it to its destination before officers could locate it.
Officer Stanwood handled a drinking-in-public complaint in Bar Harbor and as a result, one person was warned for public consumption of alcohol.
Officer Stanwood attempted to locate a man in Bar Harbor who was reportedly intoxicated and falling into bushes but could not locate him.
Following a traffic stop in Bar Harbor, Officer Payson summonsed Robert Goulet, 50, of Ellsworth, for alleged operating after suspension and alleged violation of conditions of release.
Following a traffic stop in Bar Harbor, Officer Stanwood summonsed Tommy Citeron, 34, of Vermont, for alleged criminal speeding.
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, July 22, 2024
After receiving a report of vandalism in Southwest Harbor, Officer James Kamorski responded and spoke with the complainant.
Officer Kamorski received a complaint of a loose dog in Southwest Harbor, but the complainant called back and said that the owner had retrieved the dog prior to Officer Kamorski’s response.
Officer Kamorski is investigating a report of harassment made by a Bar Harbor resident that allegedly took place in Southwest Harbor.
Officer Kamorksi is investigating a report of vandalism made by a Tremont resident.
The Southwest Harbor Police Department received a 911 call from someone in Tremont who stated that they were calling in regard to their daughter in New York. Officer Kamorski referred them to the appropriate New York agency.
Tuesday, July 23, 2024
No reportable incidents.
Wednesday, July 24, 2024
Officer Bradley Russell checked on a Southwest Harbor resident’s vehicle at the request of another local police department to see if that vehicle appeared to have been involved in an accident.
Officer Ryan Blakeney responded to a report that someone was smoking marijuana in their vehicle in a Southwest Harbor parking lot. Officer Blakeney determined that the person was smoking a cigarette while talking on their phone.
Officer Blakeney moved a deceased deer out of the roadway in Southwest Harbor and notified the Southwest Harbor Highway Department to retrieve the deer.
Thursday, July 25, 2024
Officer Blakeney assisted a Southwest Harbor resident with getting back into their apartment.
Officer Blakeney responded to an individual having a mental health crisis in Southwest Harbor and transported them to the hospital.
Someone reported having found a cat in the middle of the roadway in Southwest Harbor that was possibly sick, and Officer Blakeney gave the individual resources for getting help for the cat.
Officer Kamorski spoke with a husband and wife from Tremont who were reporting harassment that occurred in Southwest Harbor.
Friday, July 26, 2024
Officer Blakeney responded to an alarm at a Southwest Harbor business but was told it was a false alarm by the alarm company while he was still in route.
Officer Blakeney took a report of a possibly suspicious vehicle in a Southwest Harbor neighborhood where the driver was talking with kids. The reporting party later called back and said that they had learned who was driving the car and there was no issue.
Dennis Chambers, 53, of Pennsylvania, was driving a 2023 Hyundai Elantra, south on Main Street in Southwest Harbor and making a right-hand turn onto Seal Cove Road. Edward Atkins, 69, of Waterville, was one vehicle away from the stop sign at the intersection of Seal Cove Road and Main Street and waiting to turn left onto Main Street. Chambers’ vehicle allegedly drove over the median, striking Atkins’ car in the rear driver’s side door, then continued and drove over the curb, through some plants and bushes, and came to rest in a parking lot. Chambers and two passengers from Atkins’ vehicle were transported to MDI Hospital, all with chest pain. Both vehicles were towed from the scene due to disabling damage.
After receiving a report of someone passed out in their vehicle and breathing strangely in Southwest Harbor, Officer Kamorski responded and checked on the individual who said they were just sitting in their car looking at social media on their phone.
Saturday, July 27, 2024
Officer Russell responded to a report of a dog having been left unattended in Southwest Harbor and made sure that the dog was secure and had water.
Officer Russell received a report of a person who had missed their checkout time in Southwest Harbor and made contact with the person to make sure that they were okay and to inform them of the issue.
Officer Russell responded to a noise complaint about the reporting party’s neighbor in Tremont and was able to resolve the issue.
Sunday, July 28, 2024
The Southwest Harbor Police Department received a complaint about a suspicious person riding their bike in a parking lot in Southwest Harbor. Officer Russell responded and determined that the person was just out for a bike ride.
Officer Kamorski spoke with a caller from Connecticut who stated that they had not heard from their brother in over a month and that the last known residency of the brother was in Southwest Harbor. After making some phone calls, Officer Kamorksi was able to resolve the issue.
Someone reported an incident that occurred on the road to the Southwest Harbor Police Department.
After conducting a motor vehicle stop in Tremont, Officer Kamorski summonsed Derek Hutchinson, no age or residency given, for alleged operating after suspension.
Officer Kamorksi responded to a complaint regarding an illegally parked vehicle in Southwest Harbor and resolved the issue.
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.
Third Arrest Made in Connection to Cushing Death Investigation
CUSHING—The Maine State Police Major Crimes Unit Central is investigating a death in Cushing. Detectives and Evidence Response Technicians were at 834 River Road on Friday, July 12, 2024, and Saturday, July 13, 2024, conducting interviews and processing the scene. The deceased was transported to the Office of Chief Medical Examiner in Augusta where an autopsy will be performed to determine manner and cause of death and positively identify the victim. At this point in the investigation a Cushing man has been arrested. 41-year-old Mark Gagne was arrested Friday, July 12, 2024, and charged with hindering apprehension and abuse of a corpse. Gagne was transported to the Knox County Jail and was expected to make his first court appearance Monday, July 15, 2024. The Knox County Sheriff’s Office is assisting.
On Tuesday, July 16, 2024, at approximately 2:00 p.m., the Maine State Police became involved in a pursuit on Route 32 in Windsor. The driver of the vehicle, 39-year-old Jason Hewett, of Augusta, traveled north on Route 32 toward China, took Route 3 toward Augusta and in an effort to avoid spike mats placed on Route 3 in Augusta he drove into a ditch and onto the lawn of Nadeau Chiropractic and Wellness Center. Hewett then barricaded himself inside his vehicle.
The Maine State Police Tactical Team and Crisis Negotiation Team responded. After four hours of negotiations Hewett surrendered and was arrested without incident. Hewett was transported to the Kennebec County Correctional Facility in Augusta. He is charged with eluding an officer, domestic assault, and manslaughter.
Hewett is a suspect in the Cushing death investigation. The deceased will be identified once the Office of Chief Medical Examiner can make a positive identification and next of kin is officially notified. Assisting the Maine State Police was the Kennebec County Sheriff's Office, Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office, and the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency.
The victim has been identified as 46-year-old Kyle MacDougall, of Waldoboro. The cause and manner of death are not being released at this time.
On Thursday, July 25, 2024, at approximately 1:30 p.m., detectives with Major Crimes Unit Central arrested 39-year-old John Flower, of Rockland. Flower was charged with hindering, a class B felony, related to the Cushing death investigation. Flower was being held at the Knox County Jail on unrelated charges at the time of his arrest. His initial appearance was scheduled for Friday, July 26, 2024, at 1:00 p.m., at the Knox County Superior Court.
Maine State Police Investigates Stolen ATM Machine from Wayne Business
WAYNE—During the early morning hours of Thursday, July 25, 2024, the Maine State Police responded to the theft of an ATM that was inside Tubby’s Ice Cream shop on Main Street in the town of Wayne. Through their investigation troopers identified and located the suspects at a house in the town of Livermore Falls. Discovered with the suspects was a significant amount of the money from inside the ATM. The ATM was located in a vacant lot away from the house.
Arrested and charged with the theft are 47-year-old Joshua Souther, of Livermore Falls and 44-year-old Jason Reckards, of Livermore Falls.
Brittany Boivin, 37, of Jay, was arrested on obstructing government administration and violation of conditional release. All three were transported to the Androscoggin County Jail. The Androscoggin Sheriff’s Office and Livermore Falls Police Department assisted in the investigation.
Maine State Police Investigating Homicide in South Gardiner
SOUTH GARDINER—On Friday, July 26, 2024, at approximately 3:41 p.m., the Gardiner Police Department responded to 16 Bartlett Street in South Gardiner for a welfare check called in by a family member. Upon arriving at the residence officers discovered a body of a deceased male outside of the residence. Maine State Police Major Crimes Unit Central along with the Maine State Police Evidence Recovery Team responded and began investigating the death. Both units worked throughout the evening into the early morning hours of Saturday, July 27, 2024.
The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Augusta conducted an autopsy on Saturday, July 27, 2024, and ruled the cause of death was blunt force trauma and manner of death was homicide. The identity of the deceased male is being withheld until further testing can be conducted for positive identification.
Major Crimes Central detectives arrested 52-year-old Gregory Fisher of South Gardiner, charging him with murder. Fisher was taken to the Kennebec County Jail where he will likely make his first appearance on Monday, July 29, 2024. The investigation is continuing, and further information will be released when available.
Maine State Police Investigating Three Deaths in Mechanic Falls
MECHANIC FALLS—On Saturday, July 27, 2024, at approximately 4:00 p.m., the Mechanic Falls Police Department requested the assistance of Maine State Police Major Crimes Unit South after the discovery of three deceased individuals at a residence on Highland Avenue in Mechanic Falls. Detectives and Evidence Response Technicians responded and spent the evening and overnight hours processing the scene.
The deceased were transported to the Office of Chief Medical Examiner in Augusta where autopsies will be performed to determine cause and manner of death and to positively identify the deceased. There is no danger to the public.
Maine State Police Investigates Wrong Way Driver on Interstate 295
FALMOUTH—On Sunday, July 28, 2024, at approximately 3:40 a.m., the Augusta Regional Communications Center took multiple calls of a wrong way driver going northbound in the southbound lanes of I-295 in Falmouth at mile 10. Troop I troopers responded as well as local law enforcement partners. The vehicle, a 2012 Ford Fusion made it to mile 22 in Freeport when it started to drive in the construction zone and landed in between the concrete construction barriers (where workers would be if they were working at that time).
The driver, 28-year-old Tatiana Bisimwa, of South Portland, was issued a criminal summons for driving to endanger and released. An adverse driving report will also be submitted to the Bureau of Motor Vehicles. The vehicle was towed from the scene. There were no injuries or subsequent crashes related to this event.
Fire Marshal’s Office Investigating Fatal Fire in Otisfield
OTISFIELD—On Sunday, July 28, 2024, at approximately 11:23 p.m., the Fire Marshal’s Office was requested to respond to a structure fire at 1017 Main Road (Route 121) in Otisfield. The structure was a two-story residence that was approximately 100 years old. Investigators located the remains of two deceased adults inside the residence.
The remains were transported to the Office of Chief Medical Examiner Office in Augusta where autopsies will be conducted at a later date. It is believed the deceased are 77-year-old Jean Jalbert and 65-year-old Donna Jalbert who lived at the residence. DNA will be used to identify the remains. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.
The following agencies responded to the fire to assist: Otisfield, Oxford, Mechanic Falls, Casco, Raymond, Naples, Bridgton, Denmark, Harrison, Sweden, Waterford, Norway, Paris, and Hebron Fire Departments, Pace Ambulance Service, and the Oxford County Sheriff’s Department.
Bridgton Man Arrested for Trafficking in Fentanyl, Methamphetamine, and Cocaine
FRYEBURG—For the past year, officers from the Fryeburg Police Department investigated the illegal distribution of fentanyl and methamphetamine from a residence at 107 Portland Street in Fryeburg. Officers began the investigation after receiving tips from the public about the suspicious activity believed to be taking place there.
On the afternoon of Friday, July 26, officers conducted a traffic stop after conducting surveillance of 107 Portland Street. Stopped and subsequently arrested was Kevin L. Thurston, 50, of Bridgton. Seized from Thurston at the time of the stop were approximately 80 grams of fentanyl, methamphetamine, and cocaine. Also seized were assorted prescription pills, a loaded handgun, and $3,321 in suspected drug proceeds.
Thurston was charged with unlawful aggravated trafficking in schedule drugs, class A and unlawful possession of a firearm by a prohibited person, class C, and transported to the Oxford County Jail, where bail was set at $10,000 cash.
MDEA agents from the Western District Task force responded to Fryeburg to assist in drafting a search warrant for 107 Portland Street.
Agents secured and executed the search warrant with the assistance of the Fryeburg Police Department and the Maine State Police. A search of the residence resulted in the seizure of approximately 60 grams of fentanyl, methamphetamine, cocaine, and assorted prescription pills and capsules. Also seized were six firearms.
The homeowner was not present at the time of the search warrant. Charges related to the seized contraband will be forthcoming. The investigation is ongoing and additional arrests are expected.
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 and methamphetamine in the State of Maine.
If you or someone you know suffers 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 State Police Investigating Crash on the Turnpike
GRAY—On Monday, July 29, 2024, at approximately 1:24 p.m., the Maine State Police responded to a crash southbound on the Turnpike at mile marker 65 in Gray south of the New Gloucester tolls. The initial investigation has determined that the driver of a 2019 white Ford F-150 was traveling southbound when the driver, 39-year-old Robert Padilla, of Waterville, used the median to pass the vehicle in front of him. As he was passing the vehicle, a 2025 black GMC 1500, Padilla cut back into the passing lane clipping the GMC.
The driver of the GMC suffered minor injuries. Padilla’s Ford F-150 went off the road and into a ditch before it came to rest. Padilla then fled from the vehicle crossing southbound and northbound traffic before coming back across the southbound lanes where he ran into the woods.
A K-9 team from the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office arrived and located Padilla after a quick track. Padilla was transported to the hospital for an evaluation. Charges are pending.
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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