Tactical Team

On Sunday, January 9, 2022, at approximately 5:00 pm., Maine State Police responded to a report of a domestic violence incident at a residence on East Waldo Road in Waldo.  A victim and her three-year-old child fled the residence to a neighbor’s home.  As Troopers were investigating , the suspect, 30-year-old Kote Aldus, allegedly started firing shots in their direction from inside his residence, which was also reportedly occupied by the victim’s two-week-old baby.  While other members of the State Police Tactical Team were responding, Trooper Tyler Harrington, a Tactical Team member, returned fire.  About three hours later, Mr. Aldus was arrested for domestic violence assault.  He was taken to a Belfast hospital for treatment of  non-life threatening injuries.  The baby was unharmed.  Other charges may be forthcoming after consultation with the District Attorney’s Office.

Detectives from the Attorney General’s Office are on scene investigating the incident, as is standard in any officer-involved shooting. 
 

A Norway man is in custody after peacefully surrendering to Troopers after a stand-off that lasted several hours. 

Brian Cabral, 42, of Norway, had been the subject of an ongoing drug investigation in the Oxford Hills Area. Recently a Class A warrant for Aggravated Trafficking in Schedule W drugs ( fentanyl ) was obtained by State Police Investigators. Cabral is on Probation for Drug Trafficking. Cabral also has bail conditions. Cabral has been well aware Troopers have been looking for him.

On Feb. 3, at about 10 a.m., Cabral went to a business in Lewiston and had contacted a protected party in the above-mentioned bail conditions. Cabral fled the area before Police arrived. A vehicle description was provided. Troopers began to check known locations frequented by Cabral. At about 2 p.m., the suspect’s vehicle was located at a residence on French Road in Oxford. Oxford Police and Norway Police assisted State Police Units with surveillance on the residence. Because of Cabral’s criminal history, the seriousness of the new charges, and the presence of firearms inside the residence, the Assistance of the Maine State Police Tactical Team and the Maine State Police Crisis Negotiator Team were requested to respond.

The homeowner came out of the house without incident. The homeowner confirmed Cabral was inside the residence. After several hours of communicating with Cabral, he came out of the residence peacefully and surrendered to Troopers.

Cabral was transported to the Oxford County Jail; Charges of Class A Aggravated Trafficking in Schedule W Drugs, Domestic Violence Terrorizing Class D, and Violation of Conditions of release Class C.
 

On Monday, April 13, 2020,  at approximately 3 p.m., Troopers from Troop J responded to a report of a burglary in Surry.

Their investigation determined a white Honda Pilot SUV had also been stolen from the scene. Through their
investigation, Troopers developed Thomas A. Powell III, 31, of Old Town as a suspect. A statewide teletype was broadcast with the information on the stolen SUV.

Old Town Police checked the residence where Powell lived during the evening and around midnight, Officers found the Honda parked at Powell’s residence at 28 Bodwell St. Subsequent to the arrival of the SUV, Old Town Police received a call reporting gun shots in the area of that address Old Town and State Police established a perimeter around the residence, secured search and arrest warrants for Powell and did a limited evacuation of adjacent residences. State Police Crisis Negotiators and the Tactical Team were sent to the scene EMS personnel were also staged a short distance from the scene.

Around 2:30 a.m., officers made attempts to contact Powell through a PA system and got no response. Attempts to contact Powell remained unsuccessful until approximately 8:30 a.m., when Powell briefly appeared in a doorway and fired shots from a rifle at officers before retreating back into the residence. A few minutes later Powell again exited the home and an armed confrontation resulted in Powell being shot and killed by State Police. The incident ended just before 8:40 a.m.

The Troopers using deadly force were Trooper Garret Booth and Detective Scott Duff -- both members of
the Tactical Team. As with all police use of deadly force cases, the Maine Attorney General’s Office is the primary investigating agency.

The two State Police officers have been placed on administrative leave with pay, which is normal protocol in these cases. 
 

State Police say a man was shot and killed this morning in Old Town in an armed confrontation with troopers.  The incident took place outside a home on Bodwell Street on French Island . No police officers were injured. The State Police tactical team and negotiators were called to the home after Old Town Police requested assistance around midnight.  The shooting took place just before 9 AM.   As is the case with every officer involved shooting, the Maine Attorney General's Office will investigate the incident and they have sent a team of investigators to Old Town. 

State Police say a man who held police at bay for several hours in Hanover this morning surrendered just before noon time after talking with State Police negotiators.  40 year old Paul Legasse of Camden is charged with domestic violence assault and criminal threatening.  Oxford Sheriff's deputies and troopers were called to the Route 2 house around 2:30 AM when Legasse's girlfriend , who was beaten and threatened with a knife, was able to escape her home to call police.  Traffic on Route 2 was detoured around the scene for hours as the State Police tactical team and negotiators worked to resolve the standoff with Legasse, who spoke with negotiators for over 90 minutes.  Several of the area fire departments assisted police with traffic control.  Legasse was taken to the Oxford County Jail. The victim suffered facial injuries but did not require immediate medical attention.