PI man charged with aggravated assault
PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — A local man has been arrested and charged with assault relating to a domestic incident last week, following some tense moments Monday morning at a Skyway Street residence.
“Around 2 a.m. on Oct. 6, 2014, we received a call that James Shaw, 25, had posted on Facebook threats to kill his girlfriend. We received several tips after that of the same nature, as well as information on where he was located,” said Chief Matt Irwin, of the Presque Isle Police Department.
According to Irwin, Shaw had been involved in a domestic assault involving his girlfriend late last week but officers were unable to locate the man until early Monday morning. Shaw was wanted for felony-level assault against his girlfriend, whose name is not being released.
Irwin noted the tips indicated Shaw reportedly planned to do bodily harm to his girlfriend.
By 3:30 a.m. Irwin said officers with the PIPD were able to determine the whereabouts of Shaw and his victim.
“We set up surveillance in the area of the residence on Skyway Street. By early morning we obtained search and arrest warrants. Maine State Police officers began arriving around 8 a.m. to assist,” said the chief.
Shortly after 10 a.m. Shaw was arrested, without incident, at Shaw’s home.
“We executed the warrants around 10:15 a.m. The tactical team was able to break in the door. Shaw was taken into custody a short time later,” said Irwin. “Neither Shaw nor his girlfriend were injured as a result of Monday’s actions.”
About 20 members of the State Police responded to assist the PIPD.
Shaw and the girlfriend were found barricaded inside the home, where Shaw reportedly threatened to cut and kill the woman if he saw any officers. Police recovered a large knife at the residence.
Shaw is facing multiple charges.
“Shaw was charged with aggravated assault — domestic violence assault, criminal mischief and criminal terrorizing,” said Irwin. “He has no bail.”
Shaw was transported to the Aroostook County Jail in Houlton, where he awaits his first court appearance. No court date was available at presstime.
Little evidence remains of Monday’ police actions. A broken front window is one of the only signs anything out of the ordinary occurred. The school routine continued as normal at Presque Isle Middle School, located less than a half mile away. Neighbors, however, found their plans altered for the day.
“My kids left for school and nothing was going on then. My husband had gone in town and I was home with my dog. The dog began barking around 9 a.m. When I went to see what was getting the dog’s attention, an officer came to my door and asked me to remain inside,” said Sherry Theriault, who lives in the neighboring duplex.
Theriault said she was familiar with Shaw, who’d moved in shortly after she’d moved into the neighborhood.
“I’ve lived here a little over a month. James moved in after me. He lived there with his girlfriend,” she said.
Theriault said nothing appeared out of the ordinary in her recent contact with Shaw.
“He stopped in last week and played games with my son. I know he was supposed to see his daughter in Caribou last week — he has supervised visitation. He seemed happy he was going to see her. He didn’t seem upset when he was here,” said Theriault.
“Who knows why people end up like this,” said Theriault.
State criminal records indicate Shaw was charged in October 2012 with felony domestic violence assault, which was dismissed by the district attorney when Shaw plead to criminal mischief, which resulted in a 90-day jail sentence that he served in 2013.
Shaw also served 30 days in jail in 2011 for felony theft by unauthorized taking and was ordered to pay restitution.
