Two Crashes Send Two to Hospital
Police logs
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BAR HARBOR—On Thursday, October 31, according to the Bar Harbor and Mount Desert Police Department’s public press release, Phillip Widener, 67, of Manchester, Maine, was operating a 2003 Yamaha motorcycle and was stopped in traffic on Route 3 in Bar Harbor.
Robert Fernandez, 27, of Bar Harbor, was driving a 2008 Chevy Cobalt behind Widener and allegedly failed to stop the Chevy in time. The Cobalt entered into a skid, and struck Widener’s motorcycle from behind. The impact ejected Widener from the motorcycle.
Widener was transported to the hospital for non-life-threatening injuries. Fernandez was not injured and both vehicles were towed from the scene due to disabling damage.
SOUTHWEST HARBOR—On Friday, November 1, according to the Southwest Harbor Police Department’s public press release, Richard Smith, 71, of Seal Cove, was driving a 2023 Hyundai on the Tremont Road (direction of travel not given) in Tremont, when the Hyundai allegedly crossed over the centerline and struck a 2020 Ford van that was being driven by Michael Witkowski, 36, of Southwest Harbor.
Witkowski’s vehicle rolled over upon impact and he was transported to the emergency room. Smith’s vehicle had reportable damage and Witkowski’s van was totaled. There are no reports of injury to Smith.
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, October 29, 2024
Officer Amie Torrey fingerprinted a woman at the Bar Harbor Police Department for employment purposes.
Officer Torrey took a report of a dog running loose in Bar Harbor, but the owner retrieved the dog before the complainant was off the phone with the police department.
Officer Torrey warned a man in Bar Harbor for harassment.
Officer Lukas Keene performed a security check on a Town of Bar Harbor building.
Officer Justin Burnett assisted a stranded motorist in Bar Harbor.
Wednesday, October 30, 2024
Officer Caleb Mora responded to a parking complaint in Bar Harbor and found the vehicle to be legally parked.
Sgt. Soren Sundberg handled a complaint of a road being closed for construction in Bar Harbor without proper signage. The construction company will address the situation.
The police department is investigating ongoing speeding complaints on the Oak Hill Road in Mount Desert.
Officer Mora served a Bar Harbor resident a harassment warning on behalf of another Bar Harbor resident.
Sgt. Chris Dickens responded to an erratic operation complaint in Mount Desert but could not locate the suspect vehicle.
Thursday, October 31, 2024
Officer Zack Kline assisted someone with getting home in Bar Harbor.
Officer Troy Stanwood dispatched an injured deer in Mount Desert and gave the deer to a resident.
Sgt. Sundberg is investigating a report of a vehicle failing to stop in the school crossing for the crossing guard in Bar Harbor.
Officer Torrey arrested Alison G. Cottrill, 58, of Ohio, on an active arrest warrant in Mount Desert and transported her to the Hancock County Jail.
The Mount Desert Police Department was provided with some information.
Officer Stanwood led the Halloween parade for the Conners Emerson school costume parade in Bar Harbor.
Lt. Kevin Edgecomb led the Halloween parade for the Mount Desert Elementary School costume parade in Mount Desert.
Officer Stanwood performed a well-being check in Bar Harbor and found the person to be fine.
Officer Stanwood took a report of cyber harassment that occurred in Bar Harbor. No further information or disposition was given.
Officer Stanwood served someone with a protection order in Bar Harbor.
Officer Stanwood took a report of an erratic driver in Bar Harbor. All units were out of position to intercept the vehicle and the complaint was passed on to another agency.
Sgt. Dickens took a report of harassing behavior in Bar Harbor. No further information or disposition was given.
As a result of a motor vehicle complaint in Bar Harbor, Officer Judson Cake arrested Travis Shaw, 42, of Houlton, for alleged operating under the influence of drugs. Shaw was transported to the Hancock County Jail.
Officer Burnett received information from the Ellsworth Police Department in Bar Harbor.
Officer Burnett took a report of an incident in Bar Harbor. No further information or disposition was given.
Friday, November 1, 2024
Officer J. Cake arrested Fatimah Ogunjobi, 35, of Bar Harbor, for alleged domestic violence assault, alleged domestic violence criminal threatening, and alleged obstructing the report of a crime in Bar Harbor. She was transported to the Hancock County Jail.
Sgt. Sundberg took a report of a suspicious phone message in Bar Harbor and was able to make contact with the caller and determine that everything was all set.
Sgt. Dickens provided someone in Bar Harbor a ride.
Someone called the Bar Harbor Police Department to report that they had found a deceased cat and were unsure of what to do with the animal. They were referred to the Hancock County SPCA.
Officer Nathan Formby is investigating a report of phone harassment in Mount Desert.
Saturday, November 2, 2024
Officer Burnett took a report of trespassing in Bar Harbor. No further information or disposition was given.
Officer Burnett received a motor vehicle complaint in Bar Harbor. No further information or disposition was given.
Officer Ted Cake responded to a report of suspicious behavior in Mount Desert but could not locate the source.
Officers assisted with the escort for the MDI High School girl’s cross-country team after they won the state championships.
After receiving a report of an intoxicated person in Bar Harbor, Officer Formby was able to locate them and get them back to their hotel and reunited with their family.
Sunday, November 3, 2024
Officer Formby performed a well-being check in Bar Harbor and found the person to be okay.
Sgt. Dickens responded to a report of a vehicle being operated in an erratic manner in Bar Harbor but could not locate the vehicle.
Officer Formby performed a well-being check in Bar Harbor and found the person to be okay.
Officer Formby responded to a report of two people arguing in a vehicle in Acadia National Park, located the vehicle, and determined that nothing criminal had occurred.
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, October 28, 2024
After receiving an erratic motor vehicle complaint in Southwest Harbor, Chief John Hall was able to locate the vehicle and provide the driver, who was lost, with directions to his destination. Chief Hall also warned the driver for his vehicle operation.
Chief Hall responded to a residential alarm in Tremont but the call was cancelled before he arrived.
Sgt. Ryan Blakeney assisted a Southwest Harbor resident with getting back home.
Tuesday, October 29, 2024
Sgt. Blakeney responded to a report of an injured deer on the side of the road in Southwest Harbor and dispatched the deer.
Sgt. Blakeney handled a child custody dispute in Southwest Harbor and after speaking with both people who were involved, advised them that they had to go to court to work out the custody issues.
Wednesday, October 30, 2024
Officer Bradley Russell spoke with another law enforcement agency that was seeking information regarding a case.
After receiving a complaint regarding a person knocking on multiple doors in Tremont and making people feel easy, Officer Russell responded but failed to locate the person knocking on doors.
Someone called the Southwest Harbor Police Department and said that they had rescued a loose dog from a roadway in Southwest Harbor. Officer Russell responded, retrieved the dog, and returned it to its owner.
Thursday, October 31, 2024
Officer Russell assisted the Southwest Harbor Fire Department at a structure fire in Southwest Harbor.
Sgt. Blakeney is investigating a report of potential criminal mischief in Southwest Harbor.
Sgt. Blakeney performed a school visit at the Pemetic School in Southwest Harbor and then helped with the school’s Halloween parade.
A Southwest Harbor resident called the police department to report that two people had knocked on their door while they had their house lights off. They just wanted to report the incident.
Friday, November 1, 2024
Officer Russell responded to a report of a possibly suicidal person in Tremont. Officer Russell spoke with the individual who said that they were not suicidal and were just having a bad day.
Officer Russell performed a requested well-being check in Southwest Harbor and found the person to be fine but with a cell phone that was not currently working.
Saturday, November 2, 2024
Officer Russell spoke with two people involved in a political sign placement dispute in Southwest Harbor and informed them of the laws of placement.
Sunday, November 3, 2024
Officer Russell responded to a report of illegal camping on private property in Southwest Harbor and informed the campers that they were camping illegally and trespassing and moved them along.
Officer Russell responded to an unattended death in Southwest Harbor.
Sgt. Blakeney checked on a lifeline alert in Tremont and found it to be an accidental activation and found the person to be fine.
Sgt. Blakeney performed a well-being check in Southwest Harbor and found the person to be fine.
Sgt. Blakeney responded to a residential burglar alarm in Southwest Harbor and found the residence to be secure with no visible issues.
Sgt. Blakeney took a call regarding a vehicle on private property in Southwest Harbor, The caller said that the vehicle was sitting with its headlights on. Sgt. Blakeney could not locate the vehicle upon arrival.
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 on Mount Desert Island.
Two Arrested in Biddeford Homicide
BIDDEFORD—On Friday, September 27, 2024, at approximately 10:53 p.m., the Biddeford Police Department received a 911 call for shots fired on Foss Street. First responders arrived to find an injured male. Emergency responders attempted to render aid, however the male, later identified as 46-year-old Gene Dares, of Biddeford, died at the scene.
The deceased was transported to the Office of Chief Medical Examiner in Augusta where an autopsy was performed. The cause of death is gunshot wounds, and the manner of death is homicide.
On Monday, October 28, 2024, at approximately 9:00 p.m., the Maine State Police Major Crimes Unit South and the Biddeford Police Department arrested 45-year-old Garret Labonte, of Biddeford, and 57-year-old Linda Lambert, of Biddeford, on charges stemming from the murder.
Labonte and Lambert were arrested at 63 South Street in Biddeford without incident. Labonte is charged with murder, felony murder, and robbery. Lambert is charged with felony murder and robbery. Labonte and Lambert are currently at the York County Jail and were expected to make their first court appearance last Tuesday morning.
Connecticut Man Arrested After Traffic Stop in Bangor
BANGOR—On Friday, October 25, 2024, at approximately 12:30 a.m., Sgt. Dube of the Northern Field Troop conducted a traffic stop on I-95 in Bangor for a speed violation. The operator of the vehicle was identified as 40-year-old Cyrus Griffin, of New Haven, Connecticut. Griffin was found to be operating without a valid driver’s license. Griffin was also found to be on parole in the State of Connecticut for homicide.
After learning of the parole status, Trooper Doyle responded to the scene to assist. As a condition of his parole, Griffin was not supposed to be outside the State of Connecticut. During the stop, probable cause was developed to search the vehicle. The search revealed a loaded pistol which was located under the driver’s seat. Due to his prior conviction and subsequent parole, Griffin is prohibited from being in possession of firearms.
During the search of Griffin’s person and vehicle, officers located 375 grams of cocaine, 69 grams of cocaine base, and 142 grams of fentanyl xylazine. Approximately $2,100 in suspected drug proceeds were also seized. Numerous items related to the manufacture and sale of the illicit drugs were also located in the vehicle.
Griffin was taken into custody and transported to the Penobscot County Jail where he is being held on $150,000 bond. The Maine State Police was assisted by our partners at the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency after the seizure.
Buxton Man Driving Tractor Trailer in Augusta Charged by Capitol Police with OUI
AUGUST—On Wednesday, October 30, 2024, at approximately 2:10 p.m., Capitol Police responded to a 911 call for a report of a tractor trailer unit driving erratically in the area. An officer located the truck and stopped it on Leighton Road. After making contact with the operator and conducting field sobriety testing, Capitol Police officers arrested 64-year-old Gerald King, of Buxton, and charged him with operating under the influence while operating a commercial vehicle.
King was transported to the Augusta Police Department for preliminary booking and then transferred to the Kennebec County Jail where he was later released on bail. King is expected to appear in court in January.
Fire Marshal’s Office Investigating House Fire in Skowhegan
SKOWHEGAN—On Thursday, October 31, 2024, at approximately 3:04 p.m., the Fire Marshal’s Office (FMO) was requested by the Skowhegan Fire Department to respond to a house fire at 706 Waterville Road in Skowhegan. One person was able to make it out of the house however suffered severe burns and was transported to Reddington-Fairview General Hospital in Skowhegan where they are listed in critical condition. Life Flight was requested and is expected to transport the victim to another facility. It is unknown at this time which facility the victim will be transported to.
FMO Investigators were on scene throughout the evening. Updates will be provided as they become available. The Skowhegan Fire Department was assisted by the Waterville Fire Department, the Madison Fire Department, the Cannan Fire Department, the Fairfield Fire Department, the Norridgewock Fire Department, Cornville Fire Department, Redington Fairview EMS, the Skowhegan Police Department, and the Fairfield Police 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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