July 2020

UPDATE (July 9, 2020, 7:17 a.m.): The deceased has been identified as Richard Warnell, 64, of St. Andrews, New Brunswick, Canada.  Warnell was the subject of a missing persons investigation being conducted by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP).  The Maine State Police is continuing to work with the RCMP regarding the investigation.  As there is no indication that Mr. Warnell died in the State of Maine, the RCMP will now become the lead agency in the investigation and further questions should be directed to them.  

ROBBINSTON, Maine – Maine State Police responded to a deceased person that had washed up on a beach in Robbinston. 

On July 7, 2020, A concerned party called the Bangor Regional Communication Center (RCC) and Cpl. Micah Perkins responded to the scene at approximately 2:23 p.m. An autopsy is being conducting by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner (OCME) to determine the identity of the deceased, along with the cause and manner of death. Because there are no known missing persons from the Robbinston area, Troopers are cooperating with the Canadian authorities regarding the investigation.

Troopers were assisted on scene by the Maine Marine Patrol, Washington County Sheriff’s Office, Robbinston Fire, Calais Fire EMS, and the U.S. Border Patrol. 

The investigation is ongoing and no further information is available at this time.
 

LEWISTON, Maine – A Lewiston man is facing charges after fleeing from police in Lewiston.

At approximately 11:40 a.m., on July 9, 2020, Tr. Ryan Phillips was in contact with agents from Maine Drug Enforcement Agency (MDEA) who were requesting his assistance in stopping a motor vehicle in Lewiston.  The vehicle was suspected to be operated by Chad Nichols, 31, of Lewiston.  Nichols was a suspect of drug trafficking, had a revoked license and two active felony warrants for his arrest.  Tr. Phillips intercepted the vehicle near the intersection of Russell St. and College St. in Lewiston and initiated a traffic stop.  While the Trooper was approaching the vehicle, the operator took off, leading Tr. Phillips on a high-speed pursuit northbound on College Rd. into a rural part of Lewiston and into the town of Greene.  

The chase continued into Greene, when the suspect vehicle turned onto Rt. 202 headed back toward Lewiston.  Lewiston Police officers set up spikes on Rt. 202 near the Lewiston/Greene line, but the deployment was not effective.  As the chase continued back into populated area of Lewiston, the decision was made to terminate the pursuit by Sgt. Joseph Bureau.  Simultaneously, Pilot Supervisor Jerry Pearson was airborne and had a visual on the suspect vehicle.  Pearson led responding units to that vehicle and provided a description of the suspect, as the suspect fled on foot into a wooded area off Tall Pines Drive. Cpl. Jonathan Russell and K-9 Gus began a track at that location.

MDEA agents received a tip that Nichols had been picked up and later located him in a vehicle on Scribner Blvd, near the intersection of Webster St.  Lewiston PD officers were first on scene at that location and initiated a felony stop.  Nichols was taken into custody at this location and was charged with Eluding, Driving to Endanger, Criminal Speed, and Operating after Revocation Habitual Offender.  
 

An Augusta man is facing charges after a Trooper clocked him travelling over 100 miles per hour. 

On July 9, 2020, at approximately 11:30 p.m., a Trooper from Troop D was travelling westbound on Route 3 in Augusta when a vehicle came up behind them travelling at a high rate of speed. The Trooper clocked the vehicle on radar doing 109 MPH in a 50 MPH zone. A brief chase ensued, ending on Anthony Avenue in Augusta. 

The driver, Nathan Hansell, 38, of Augusta, was taken into custody and charged with Operating Under the Influence, Criminal Speed, Possession of Schedule W Drugs, and Eluding a Law Enforcement Officer. Hansell’s bail was set at $2500 cash. 

Incident Type:         suspended registration

Date:                          7/06/2020

Town:                        frenchville

Trooper:                   Tr. Desrosier

Brief Synopsis:       Tr. Desrosier stopped a pickup for speeding in Madawaska.  During the stop, he discovered the registration for the truck had been suspended per court order.  The driver was issued a traffic summons for speeding and a criminal summons for operating with a suspended registration.

 

Incident Type:         VIOLATION OF BAIL

Date:                          7/06/2020

Town:                        fort kent

Trooper:                   Tr. Desrosier

Brief Synopsis:       Tr. Desrosier stopped a vehicle in Fort Kent after he observed the passenger door open and close twice while the vehicle was in motion.  It was discovered the male passenger was intoxicated and needed to urinate.  The man was also found to have bail conditions prohibiting from using/consuming liquor.  After an investigation, the man was arrested for violating his conditions of release and taken to Fort Kent PD.

 

Incident Type:         evasion of excise tax and registration

Date:                          7/08/2020

Town:                        hodgdon

Trooper:                   Cpl. Quint

Brief Synopsis:       Cpl. Quint was conducting traffic enforcement in Hodgdon and observed a pickup speeding.  The vehicle was stopped, and Cpl. Quint recognized the driver from other interactions.  The man moved to Maine more than two years prior and has refused to register his vehicle or obtain a driver’s license in this State.  The man was issued a summons for evasion of registration fees and excise tax, failing to obtain a driver’s license within 30 days of residency, and for not having insurance.  The man was given a warning for speeding.

 

Incident Type:         oui

Date:                          7/08/2020

Town:                        island falls

Trooper:                   Tr. Castonguay

Brief Synopsis:       Tr. Castonguay was driving south on Interstate 95 to an unrelated complaint and observed a vehicle swerve in the roadway.  Tr. Castonguay stopped the vehicle and suspected the driver was intoxicated.  After an investigation and field sobriety testing, the man was arrested for OUI and transported to the Aroostook County Jail in Houlton where he was able to post bail.

 

Incident Type:         suspended registration

Date:                          7/11/2020

Town:                        merrill

Trooper:                   Tr. Castonguay

Brief Synopsis:       Tr. Castonguay stopped a vehicle in Merrill for speeding.  During the traffic stop, it was discovered the vehicle, registered in New Jersey, had a suspended registration.  Tr. Castonguay issued a warning for speeding to the driver and a criminal summons for operating with the suspended registration.

 

Incident Type:         illegal possession of alcohol

Date:                          7/11/2020

Town:                        island falls

Trooper:                   Tr. Castonguay

Brief Synopsis:       Tr. Castonguay was patrolling along US Highway 2, Island Falls, and noted three vehicles pulled into a scenic turnout and three minors standing near one vehicle.  He stopped to make sure there was no emergency or other issue and discovered one male had a cooler with beer and other liquor inside.  After an investigation, the 19-year-old in possession of the alcohol was issued a civil summons for the violation.

 

Incident Type:         Assault

Date:                          7/07/2020

Town:                        oakfield

Trooper:                   Tr. Rider

Brief Synopsis:       Tr. Rider and Sgt. Fuller responded to a residence in Oakfield for a report of an assault.  After some investigation, it was found that the subject threw a chainsaw at the victim and punched him in the face.  The suspect fled to his residence and would not come to the door when Tr. Rider and Sgt. Fuller tried to make contact.  Tr. Rider and Sgt. Fuller tried making contact at the suspects other residence with negative contact.  Tr. Rider submitted the report to the DA’s office and requested a warrant put out for the individuals arrest. 

 

Incident Type:         op w/o a license

Date:                          7/09/2020

Town:                        OAKFIELD

Trooper:                   Tr. Cotton

Brief Synopsis:       Tr. Cotton was patrolling the Oakfield area when he observed a male driving an SUV with what looked to be an electronic device in his hand. Tr. Cotton stopped the vehicle and determined that the object was a large phone charger and the male admitted he was distracted. Further investigation revealed the male’s license out of Florida was suspended and his Maine License was surrendered. Tr. Cotton summonsed the male accordingly.

 

Incident Type:         pi crash

Date:                          7/09/2020

Town:                        silver ridge twp

Trooper:                   Tr. Cotton

Brief Synopsis:       Warden Seth Powers was on patrol on the Pond Road in Silver Ridge when he observed an SUV with numerous people in it drive by him at a high rate of speed. Wdn. Powers turned around and found the SUV on its side. Wdn. Powers confirmed there was no serious injury. Tr. Cotton arrived on scene and determined that the vehicle lost control after fish tailing. Most of the occupants were not wearing their seatbelts and all the windows were down. Tr. Cotton summonsed the operator of the vehicle, who had only had her license for five months, with carrying passengers beyond intermittent restrictions. All the parents for the juveniles arrived on scene to pick them up and Tr. Cotton was able to use this situation as a teaching moment as to the importance of safe driving and the wearing of the seat belt.

 

Incident Type:         Found Property

Date:                          7/10/2020

Town:                        Chesuncook Lake

Trooper:                   Sgt. Haines

Brief Synopsis:       Sgt. Haines was contacted by Lt. Joe Mints of MFS.  Lt. Mints had been walking with his family in the North Maine Woods when they located a backpack that washed up on shore.  The back pack contained various items, one of which included a handgun.  Sgt. Haines was able to identity of the owner of the bag, who was a NH resident.  With the help of a local PD, the man was located and reported that his canoe had flipped over while on a fishing trip.  Arrangements were made for the man to collect him belongings later.

Incident Type:         warrant arrest

Date:                          7/06/2020

Town:                        St. Agatha

Trooper:                   Tr. Curtin

Brief Synopsis:       Tr. Curtin was working on warrant arrests when he obtained information of a man that had an outstanding warrant for his arrest regarding a theft case.  The man was located at an apartment complex in St. Agatha and arrested without incident.  He was transported to the ACJ.

 

Incident Type:         BURGLARY

Date:                          7/11/2020

Town:                        woodland

Trooper:                   Cpl. Michaud

Brief Synopsis:       Cpl. Michaud, Tr Flynn, Ranger Carney, and Deputy Belanger responded to a Woodland residence for a reported burglary in progress.  Ranger Carney arrived in the area first and located the suspect walking a short distance from the scene.  He was able to take the man into custody without incident.  The residence had been targeted recently and the homeowners had installed cameras in the home which alerted family members to the burglary.  Cpl. Michaud charged the local man with Burglary, Theft, Criminal Attempt, and 2 counts of Violating his Conditions of Release.  The man had been out on bail for a previous burglary.  He was transported to ACJ.

 

Incident Type:         CRIMINAL MISCHIEF

Date:                          7/06/2020

Town:                        Monticello

Trooper:                   Tr. Mahon

Brief Synopsis:       Tr.  Mahon was called to the former elementary school in Monticello when damage was reported to the building.  A rear window was broken, and damage done on the inside of the building.  The investigation is ongoing.

 

Incident Type:         OAS X 3

Date:                          1/12/2020

Town:                        Houlton/Mars Hill/Brigewater

Trooper:                   Tr. Mahon

Brief Synopsis:       Tr. Mahon cited 3 separate drivers for Operating after Suspension this week.  The traffic stops were conducted in Houlton, Mars Hill, and Bridgewater.  In the Mars Hill incident, the suspended driver drove into the wrong lane and forced a Border Patrol Agent to drive off the roadway in order to not be struck by the oncoming vehicle.  The suspended drivers are facing court dates in Presque Isle and Houlton.

 

Incident Type:         Warrant Arrest

Date:                          7/06/2020

Town:                        oakfield

Trooper:                   Tr. Saucier

Brief Synopsis:       Tr. Saucier was called to an Oakfield home when a resident reported he had not seen or heard from his girlfriend in a couple of days.  A routine check revealed that the caller had a warrant out for his arrest for failing to comply with the sex offender registry.  He was arrested without incident and transported to ACJ.  The woman contacted Tr. Saucier after the arrest to let him know that she was fine.

# of School Visits conducted – 0

# of OUI Alcohol Arrests – 2

# of OUI Drug Arrests – 0

# of DV Arrests – 0

07-06-20

Trooper Dana Austin stopped a motor vehicle for a traffic violation in Amherst, as a result of the investigation, James Day (26) of Otis was summonsed for Operating after Suspension.

07-07-20

Corporal Micah Perkins responded to a late report burglary complaint in Princeton where it was reported that money was stolen from an apartment.  Investigation continues.

07-09-20

Trooper Owen Reed arrested John Kelly (56) of Machias and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, for Operating Under the Influence of Alcohol after a traffic stop in Machias.  Kelly refused the breath test.

07-11-20

Trooper Owen Reed arrested Justin Dexter (33) of Castine, for Operating Under the Influence of Alcohol after responding to a crash in Penobscot. 

On 07/08/2020, Cpl. Physic pulled a driver over for speeding on I-95.  Cpl. Physic learned the driver, Benjamin Parsons, had a suspended driver license status.  Cpl. Physic summonsed Parsons for Operating after Suspension.

On 07/09/2020, Tr. Keim responded to the southbound Kennebunk Service Plaza for a male that had overdosed.  Upon his arrival, Kennebunk Fire-Rescue was on scene and had the male in the rescue vehicle.  Tr. Keim spoke with a female who was a passenger in the vehicle.  The male was transported to SMMC.

On 07/11/2020, Cpl. Cote stopped Keith Mitchell (23) of Mechanic Falls on the ME Turnpike northbound in Portland.  He was charged with Criminal Speed for traveling more than 30 MPH over the posted work zone speed limit.

On 07/11/2020, Cpl. Physic pulled over a vehicle for erratic operation on I-95.  Cpl. Physic put the driver, Karen Rancourt-Thomas, through standardized field sobriety tests.  She was arrested for OUI and refused to take the intoxilyzer test.

On 07/12/2020, Cpl. Cote stopped Rachel Hobbs (25) of Billerica, MA on the ME Turnpike northbound in Portland.  She was charged with Criminal Speed for traveling more than 30 MPH over the posted work zone speed limit.

On 07/12/2020, Cpl. Cote stopped Lynn Reynolds (29) of Newington, NH on the ME Turnpike northbound in Portland.  She was charged with Criminal Speed for traveling more than 30 MPH over the posted work zone speed limit.

Troop D weekly activities for time July 6th to July 12th, 2020

On 7/6/2020 Tr. Martin was given a BOLO from Bangor PD regarding a hit and run. Tr. Martin located the vehicle in Knox. The operator Raymond Miner (33) had an outstanding warrant for failure to appear. Miner was administered field sobriety tests that showed clues of impairment.  A subsequent Intoxilyzer test confined his BAC was above the legal limt.  Miner was charged with Operating After Suspension and Operating Under the Influence. 

On 7/7/2020 Troopers Belanger and Martin conducted a bail check at 2077 North Mountain Valley Highway in Montville.  Melissa Keller (37) of Montville, was summonsed for Violating Conditions of Release.

On 7/8/2020 Cpl. Robinson responded to Moosehead Trail in Brooks for a vehicle off of the roadway.  The operator, Renee Cohen (64) of Plymouth was ultimately summonsed for Operating After License Suspension and Attaching False Plates. 

On 7/9/2020 at approximately 2330 hours, Tr. Lauren Roddy was travelling westbound on Route 3 in Augusta when a vehicle came up behind her travelling at a high rate of speed. Tr. Roddy got the vehicle on radar doing 109 MPH in a 50 MPH zone. A brief 2- mile chase ensued, ending on Anthony Ave in Augusta. Tr. Roddy conducted a felony stop and the subject, Nathan Hansell (38) of Augusta, was taken into custody. Hansell was transported to Augusta Police Department for an Intoxilyzer test as a result Hansell was charged with Operating Under the Influence, Criminal Speed, Possession of Schedule W Drugs, and Eluding. Hansell’s bail was set at $2500 cash.

On 7/10/2020 Tr. Belanger stopped Nadine Heath (54) of Troy, and Brittany Heath (28) of Dixmont on Route 9 in Dixmont.  Both are on bail conditions and both were ultimately summonsed for Violating Conditions of Release. 

On 7/10/2020 Cpl. Pelletier stopped Casey Kimball (41) on the Townhouse Rd. in Chelsea for operating a MV with an improperly displayed registration tag. Her license was suspended for an OUI conviction and she was on conditional release. She was summonsed for the offenses. 

On 7/10/2020 Tr. Lauren Roddy and Tr. Tyler Harrington conducted a detail patrolling the island of Vinalhaven.

On 7/11/2020 Tr. Harrington assisted Topsham Police Department and Sagadahoc Sheriff’s Office with locating Michael Donavan (23) of Bowdoinham. Donavan was wanted for assaulting his father in Topsham earlier in the evening. Tr. Harrington located Donavan driving on Route 24 in Bowdoinham and was taken into custody without incident. 

On 7/11/2020 Tr. Harrington summonsed Habeeb Salim (47) of Brockton, Massachusetts for OAS on I95 in West Gardiner. 
 

UPDATE: This person has been identified and Troopers have made contact. Thank you for your assistance.

The Maine State Police are looking to identify the man in the photo. He is wanted for questioning in connection to an incident at Swan Lake Grocery in Swanville. Anyone with information on the identity of the man is asked to contact the Maine State Police at 207-624-7076 and leave a message for Tpr. Caleb Adams of Troop D.

(NOTE: We updated the booking photos as they became available on July 18, 2020 at 1:02 p.m.) 

On June 24, at 3:30 a.m., multiple Troopers and Deputies were dispatched to Maine State Police Sergeant Jeff Ingemi’s residence in Marshfield.  Sergeant Ingemi’s wife was awakened in the middle of the night by what sounded to be several gunshots.  Sergeant Ingemi went outside to find the window of his personal truck shattered.

On July 16, arrest warrants were obtained for Alfred “AJ”  Polk (20)  and Dylan Nevala (21), both of Machiasport.  Search warrants were obtained for their respective properties as well.  At 3 a.m., July 17, 2020,   the Maine State Police Tactical Team executed the arrest warrants.  Polk and Nevala are now in custody.  They have been interviewed and transported to jail.  The search of the residences is ongoing at this time.  A vehicle believed to be involved in the incident has been impounded.

 Polk is being charged with Reckless Conduct with a Dangerous Weapon and Nevala is charged with Hindering Apprehension/ Prosecution.

Today’s outcome is the result of an intense, three week, multi-agency effort.  The State Police was assisted by the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, Maine Drug Enforcement Agency, Maine Forestry Service, Maine Warden Service, Maine Marine Patrol, and the Maine Department of Motor Vehicles Investigative Division.

 

Incident Type:         oas

Date:                          7/18/2020

Town:                        sherman

Trooper:                   Cpl. Quint

Brief Synopsis:       Cpl. Quint responded to a car v. deer crash in Sherman.  While investigating the crash, it was discovered the female driver had a suspended Maine driver’s license.  The woman stated she was unaware of the suspension.  She was issued a criminal summons for the violation and arranged to have a licensed driver come get her and the vehicle.

 

Incident Type:         oUI

Date:                          7/18/2020

Town:                        saint francis

Trooper:                   Tr. Desrosier

Brief Synopsis:       Tr. Desrosier was conducting traffic enforcement in Saint Francis and observed a vehicle exceeding the posted speed limit.  Tr. Desrosier stopped the vehicle and as he spoke with the driver, he suspected the man was impaired.  After conducting Field Sobriety Testing, the man was arrested for OUI and taken to Fort Kent PD for a breath test.  The man was issued a criminal summons for OUI and posted bail.  He was also issued a traffic summons for speeding.

 

Incident Type:         criminal speed

Date:                          7/14/2020

Town:                        masardis

Trooper:                   Tr. Cotton

Brief Synopsis:       Tr. Cotton was patrolling Masardis when he observed a vehicle traveling 70mph in a posted 35 mph zone. Tr. Cotton pulled the vehicle over. The driver admitted he was doing 70 mph but thought it was a 25mph zone. Tr. Cotton summonsed the male for Criminal Speed.

 

Incident Type:         Warrant Arrest

Date:                          7/17/2020

Town:                        Fort Kent

Trooper:                   Tr. Curtin

Brief Synopsis:       Tr. Curtin was in Fort Kent when he saw a local woman he had a warrant out for her arrest.  A computer check confirmed that she had a warrant for her arrest regarding an incident.  She was arrested on the warrant and after checking with a probation officer, she was transferred to ACJ for a 120-day sentence.

 

Incident Type:         trespass

Date:                          7/18/2020

Town:                        Woodland

Trooper:                   Cpl. Michaud

Brief Synopsis:       Cpl. Michaud was called to a Woodland residence twice this week.  The homeowners had been helping a family member over the years and had allowed him to stay off at their home from time to time.  The man eventually was not welcome at the home and had been warned for trespassing on several occasions.  On the 17th Cpl. Michaud warned him not to return one final time.  On the 18th he went back to the house early in the morning and was charged with trespassing.

 

Incident Type:         OAS

Date:                          7/18/2020

Town:                        Monticello

Trooper:                   Tr. Mahon

Brief Synopsis:       Tr. Mahon charged a local woman for Operating After Suspension for the second time in as many months.  He was in Monticello when he saw a woman driving on Route 1, who he knew had a suspended license.  Tr. Mahon had charged the woman on 6/24 for OAS.  This time, she pulled into a driveway after seeing Tr. Mahon.  She is now facing two Houlton Court dates for the same charge.