Stolen Vehicle Leads to Two Terminated Pursuits, Crash, and Arrest of Suspect
Bar Harbor, Mount Desert, Southwest Harbor, HCSO, State Police Crime Updates and More
DEER ISLE AND SURRY––On May 13, 2024, at approximately 3:17 p.m., the Hancock Regional Communications Center (RCC) received a call from a resident of Deer Isle reporting a stolen vehicle. Deputy Hunter Fernald was promptly dispatched as the primary investigator, with additional support from sheriff’s office personnel.
The stolen vehicle, a red Chevrolet Equinox, was spotted by Deputy Fernald heading north on Blue Hill Road in Surry. Despite an attempt to stop the vehicle, the driver failed to comply. Lt. Brian Archer also encountered the vehicle in Surry and made an unsuccessful attempt to stop it. The suspect, described as a white male wearing a black hooded sweatshirt, continued to evade law enforcement. Due to the danger to the public, the pursuit of the vehicle was terminated.
Shortly after losing sight of the vehicle, another call came into the Hancock RCC reporting a crash on Surry Road, along with a description of the stolen vehicle. Lt. Archer, Deputy Fernald, and Sgt. Marcus Downes located the overturned vehicle off the roadway. Upon inspection, it was found that nobody was inside.
A person matching the description of the vehicle’s operator emerged from the woods just south of the crash site but disappeared before law enforcement could make contact. Subsequent information indicated that a male fitting the driver’s description had entered a nearby residence.
As a result of these events, 37-year-old Jon McDowell of Deer Isle was located at the nearby residence and taken into custody. He was arrested and charged with theft by unauthorized taking or transfer, driving to endanger, operating after suspension, and failing to report an accident. He was transported to the Hancock County Jail without incident.
Sgt. Travis Frost, Sgt. Kyle Kramer, Detective Dylan Hall, and Deputy Justin Burnett also responded to the scene to assist with the investigation. The sheriff’s office was also assisted by Sgt. Robert Angelo of the Ellsworth Police Department, Sgt. Greg Roy of the Maine State Police, and Special Agent Timothy Frost of the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency.
Every individual is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. This presumption ensures that individuals accused of crimes are treated fairly and have the opportunity to defend themselves in a court of law.
BAR HARBOR AND MOUNT DESERT
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.
Monday, May 6, 2024
The Bar Harbor Police Department received a call regarding a person who had just been fired from their job and was suicidal. Officers were able to locate the person, take them into protective custody, and transport them to the hospital.
Officer Zackery Kline received a complaint about a vehicle that passed a stopped school bus with its red lights flashing and “stop” signs out in Bar Harbor. Officer Kline could not locate the vehicle.
Mental Health Liaison Melissa Tozier spoke with an individual in Bar Harbor who was struggling with family issues.
Lt. Kevin Edgecomb responded to a report that a large truck was making a right-hand turn from Rock End Road onto Maple Lane in Northeast Harbor and struck a rock which it drug off the roadside and left in the middle of the road when it became dislodged from the truck’s tires. A Mount Desert Public Works crew put the rock back where it belongs and cleaned up the dirt.
Officer Amie Torrey took a report of a loose dog in Mount Desert. The dog was located and retrieved by its owner.
Officers responded to an unattended death in Bar Harbor. No further information or disposition was given.
Officer Troy Stanwood performed a well-being check on someone in Bar Harbor at the request of that person’s family. The person being checked on was found to be all set.
Officer Nathan Formby responded to a suspicious activity complaint in Bar Harbor but could not locate any suspicious activity.
Officer Formby gave someone a trespass warning for an undisclosed property in Bar Harbor.
Tuesday, May 7, 2024
Officer Formby looked for and could not locate a vehicle that was the subject of a littering complaint in Bar Harbor.
Lt. Edgecomb looked for a vehicle that was the subject of a late report of motor vehicle operation in Somesville but could not locate the vehicle.
MHL Tozier met with a person at the MDI Hospital emergency room who was needing some mental health treatment.
Officer Kline fingerprinted someone at the Bar Harbor Police Department for employment purposes.
Officer Kline searched for a vehicle in Mount Desert that was the subject of an erratic operation complaint but could not locate the vehicle.
MHL Tozier met with someone who went into the Bar Harbor Police Department and was experiencing a mental health crisis.
Officer Elias Burne assisted someone who was having a mental illness related issue in Mount Desert.
Officer Burne helped a stranded motorist in Bar Harbor by jump starting their vehicle.
Wednesday, May 8, 2024
Sgt. Chris Dickens documented a report of suspicious activity around a Bar Harbor residence.
Sgt. Dickens is investigating the reported theft of a kayak from a Hulls Cove residence.
Someone reported some “intel” to Officer Caleb Mora in Bar Harbor.
MHL Tozier met with someone in Bar Harbor who is experiencing a housing crisis.
Thursday, May 9, 2024
Officer Kaleb Payson performed a requested well-being check in Bar Harbor and found the subject of the check to be all set.
Sgt. Chris Dickens documented a report of suspicious activity around a Bar Harbor residence.
Officer Ted Cake left a note on a vehicle which had its sideview mirror struck by a passing vehicle in Bar Harbor after the driver of the passing vehicle reported the incident.
Sgt. Dickens responded to a report of a garbage truck losing trash on Route 102 in Mount Desert but did not locate the truck nor any trash or debris.
Officer T. Cake documented some information in Bar Harbor at the request of a complainant.
Sgt. Dickens spoke with someone in Mount Desert regarding family-related matters some of which are occurring in another jurisdiction. Sgt. Dickens shared this information with the appropriate other jurisdiction.
Officer Burne investigated an unattended death that occurred on a cruise ship that anchored in Bar Harbor.
Officer Torrey is investigating a report of the harassment of a Mount Desert woman by a man.
Friday, May 10, 2024
Sgt. Dickens handled a complaint of a conflict that occurred between two motorists while traveling on Route 3 in Bar Harbor. Sgt. Dickens spoke with everyone involved and determined that this would not be an ongoing issue.
Officer Mora conducted a requested well-being check in Bar Harbor and determined that the person being checked on was all set.
MHL Tozier assisted someone in Bar Harbor by giving them a ride.
Sgt. Dickens took a complaint of people speeding on the Oak Hill Road in Mount Desert. Extra patrols will be occurring in the area.
The Bar Harbor Police Department took a report of a dog off leash. This is under investigation.
Officers assisted the Southwest Harbor Police Department. No further information or disposition was given.
After receiving a report of a vehicle possibly having underage occupants in possession of alcohol in Bar Harbor, Officer Lukas Keene stopped the vehicle for a traffic violation. After investigation, one person was civilly summonsed for alleged illegal possession of alcohol by a minor and civilly summonsed another person for alleged possession of marijuana by a minor.
Officer Payson responded to a noise complaint in Bar Harbor, located the source of the noise, and had someone turn down their music.
Saturday, May 11, 2024
Officer Mora responded to a suspicious vehicle at a Bar Harbor business and determined that the vehicle belonged to an employee of the business.
Sgt. Jerrod Hardy took a report of a vehicle parked improperly on School Street in Bar Harbor and found the vehicle to be gone when he arrived.
Officer Mora failed to locate a vehicle that was the subject of a motor vehicle complaint in Bar Harbor.
Lt. Edgecomb could not locate a vehicle that was the subject of a motor vehicle complaint in Somesville and passed the complaint on to the Southwest Harbor Police Department because that was the direction of travel for the suspect vehicle.
Someone brought a loose dog to the Bar Harbor Police Department where the owner came to pick up the dog.
Someone called the Bar Harbor Police Department and reported some information to Sgt. Hardy.
Someone went to the Bar Harbor Police Department seeking information regarding previous reports that they had made.
Someone contacted the Bar Harbor Police Department regarding a potential scam.
The Bar Harbor Police Department took a report of “property fraud.”
Lt. Edgecomb and Officer T. Cake worked a detail for the MDI High School prom in Bar Harbor.
Sunday, May 12, 2024
Officer Formby gave a ride to two intoxicated people to their hotel in Bar Harbor.
Sgt. Hardy responded to a report of an improperly parked vehicle on Cottage Street in Bar Harbor. It was gone when he arrived.
Lt. Edgecomb assisted the Mount Desert Fire Department with a medical call.
Officer Mora and a farm hand returned some loose cows to their fenced in area in Bar Harbor.
A loose dog was reported in Bar Harbor but was collected by its owner before police response.
Officers tried to locate a vehicle that was the subject of a motor vehicle complaint and was believed to be heading in the direction of Bar Harbor from Southwest Harbor. The vehicle was not located.
Officer Keene took a nuisance dog complaint in Bar Harbor.
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.
Monday, May 6, 2024
After receiving a report of something suspicious in a tree on Main Street in Southwest Harbor, Officer Ryan Blakeney responded, removed item from the tree, and disposed of it. The item was not identified.
Tuesday, May 7, 2024
After receiving a motor vehicle complaint regarding a vehicle heading towards Southwest Harbor, Lt. Franklin Burke and Officer James Kamorski were able to locate the vehicle and stop it. It was determined that the driver was lost and could not find what they were looking for. The driver was given directions and a warning for their operation.
Lt. Burke is investigating a report of a woman who left a Southwest Harbor store with paying for the items that she left with.
Wednesday, May 8, 2024
Lt. Burke filled out an incident report for a person who had scratched the paint on their rental vehicle.
Lt. Burke responded to the Corner Market to assist with a medical event. The man having the medical issue was transported to the hospital for treatment.
A previous customer of a company made a complaint to Lt. Burke that the company was harassing them.
Officer Bradley Russell is investigating a complaint made by a homeowner who found damage when they retuned home.
Officer Russell responded to a residential burglar alarm that was deemed to be a false alarm while Officer Russell was still in route.
The Southwest Harbor Police Department received a call that indicated possible mental health issues from someone. Officer Russell located the caller and determined that they were okay.
Thursday, May 9, 2024
No reported incidents.
Friday, May 10, 2024
Lt. Burke responded to a complaint of suspicious people in the area of the Clark Point Road and determined the complaint to be unfounded.
Lt. Burke took a report of a suspicious vehicle at a Southwest Harbor residence from the caretaker of the residence. The vehicle had left by the time of the report.
After receiving a call about a person screaming and possible gunshots, the Southwest Harbor dispatcher called the Hancock County Sheriff’s Department and the Bar Harbor/Mount Desert Police Department for assistance. Officer Kamorski, a sheriff’s deputy, and Bar Harbor/Mount Desert officers checked the area of the complaint, spoke with neighbors, and could not locate the source of the screaming and found no evidence of gunshots.
Saturday, May 11, 2024
Lt. Burke is investigating a report of burglary at a Southwest Harbor restaurant in which a couple bottles of alcohol were stolen.
Sunday, May 12, 2024
Officer Blakeney took a report from a Southwest Harbor business stating that people were walking around downtown with ski masks on. There were no further complaints on issue.
Officer Russell responded to a report of a possible intoxicated driver but could not locate the suspect vehicle.
Officer Russell spoke with a Southwest Harbor resident on the phone who believes that someone was on their property overnight and cut their flowers.
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.
Augusta Man Taken into Custody after Stand-off in Sidney
SIDNEY—On Wednesday, May 8, 2024, at approximately 8:15 a.m., the Maine State Police received information that 33-year-old Marlon Cloutier, of Augusta, was at a relative’s home on Sunset Ridge Road in the town of Sidney. Cloutier was wanted out of Penobscot County on felony burglary, theft of firearms, violation of conditions of release, violation of a protection order, and possession of a firearm.
Troopers responded to the area and confirmed Cloutier was inside the residence. Residents of the home left shortly after Cloutier arrived. Nearby residents were evacuated from their homes and Sunset Ridge Road was shut down to traffic. Due to the nature of the warrant and recent threats of violence, the State Police Tactical Team and Crisis Negotiation Team responded to assist just after 12:00 p.m. After more than eight hours of negotiations, Cloutier was taken into custody.
Cloutier was transported to the Kennebec County Jail where he will be booked on the warrants and charged with creating a police standoff, violation of conditions of release, possession of scheduled W drugs and refusing to submit to arrest or detention.
Maine State Police Investigating Double Fatal in Old Town
OLD TOWN—On Thursday, May 9, 2024, at approximately 5:45 a.m., members of Troop I with the assistance of the Northern Field Troop, and Troop K responded to a single vehicle crash on I-95 at mile marker 199 southbound in Old Town. The initial investigation indicates that the driver 26-year-old Patrick McMullin, of Howland, was traveling southbound when he lost control of his jeep while trying to pass another vehicle, went off the roadway to the right, and struck a tree.
McMullin and his passenger, 18-year-old Treasa Savage, of Lincoln, were both pronounced deceased on scene. The investigation is ongoing. The Maine State Police was assisted by Maine DOT, Old Town Police Department, Old Town Fire Department, and Sullivan’s Towing Service. The interstate was down to one lane for approximately 2 hours.
Maine State Police Investigating Incident on Interstate 295 in Freeport
FREEPORT—On Thursday May 9, 2024, at approximately 4:15 p.m., Troopers from Troop I were dispatched to a report of a male pulled over near Mile Marker 19 southbound on Interstate 295 in Freeport. Callers reported a male with blood on his face trying to flag down traffic. Freeport police, fire, and rescue responded to assist, and a passing motorist stopped and began CPR on the male who had become unresponsive.
The male did not recover and was pronounced deceased on scene by Freeport rescue. Based on the facts and circumstances of the call, Major Crimes Unit South and an Evidence Response Technician were called to the scene. Upon further examination, and in speaking with family members it appears the male suffered a medical event. The deceased will be transported to the Office of Chief Medical Examiner in Augusta where an autopsy will be performed. Traffic was reduced to one lane for a short period of time. No other information is available at this time.
Tractor Trailer Hauling Bees crashes on I-95 in Clinton
CLINTON—On Thursday, May 9, 2024, at approximately 7 p.m., Troopers from Troop I responded to a tractor trailer rollover at mile 141 northbound on I-95 in Clinton. The truck that crashed was hauling approximately 15 million bees. The driver was transported to the hospital with complaints of pain. The bees were mostly contained, and the goal was to save them.
The driver was headed to Washington County where the bees were to pollinate blueberry fields. Other assets assisting at the scene were the Clinton Fire Department, the Burnham Fire Department, Maine DOT, Dostie’s Towing, and the Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry. The right lane was shut down throughout the night.
MDEA and Lewiston Police Arrest Man for Aggravated Trafficking in Fentanyl
LEWISTON—The Maine Drug Enforcement Agency and Lewiston Police announce the arrest of a Massachusetts man for aggravated trafficking fentanyl in Lewiston. During the arrest a significant amount of fentanyl was seized.
In response to community complaints of safety issues, drug trafficking and negative quality of life issues throughout the City of Lewiston, MDEA and Lewiston Police Department’s Crime Reduction Unit (CRU) began targeted enforcement efforts to these areas of the city over the past several weeks.
On Thursday afternoon, May 9, 2024, while conducting a proactive enforcement detail, agents and CRU officers observed what they recognized as an illegal drug deal being conducted by Jonathan E. Paige, 34, of Boston, Massachusetts, in the 100 block of Sabattus Street. When confronted by police, Paige attempted to run from officers but was quickly taken into custody.
Agents seized a bag of suspected drugs that tested positive as fentanyl, which Paige tossed away while running from officers. Paige was arrested and charged with unlawful aggravated trafficking in schedule drugs, fentanyl, class A. Paige was transported to the Androscoggin Jail where bail was set at $10,000 cash.
Over a half pound (310 grams) of fentanyl was seized during this investigation and arrest.
The approximate street value of the seized fentanyl is $30,000.
Proactive enforcement efforts will continue throughout the City of Lewiston. Anyone who has information regarding drug trafficking is encouraged to contact MDEA or the Lewiston Police Department.
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.
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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