Editor’s Note: An arrest or summons does not constitute a finding of guilt. An individual charged with a crime is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty at criminal proceedings.
HOULTON, Maine — The Maine State Police Troop F barracks in Houlton responded to a number of calls for service during the period of June 29-July 5, including the following.
Monday, June 29
WOODLAND — Trooper Desrosier was responding to an unrelated 911 call (hang-up) and was flagged down by a pedestrian in Woodland. The man stated there was a pickup driving erratically and “drifting” in the intersection. Tr. Desrosier drove in the direction the pickup was last seen and, as he crested a hill, he observed the described vehicle “drifting” through an intersection while another male recorded. Tr. Desrosier spoke with the driver and camera man. After an investigation, the driver, a juvenile, was issued a summons for violating his intermediate driver’s license and for failing to maintain control of a motor vehicle.
Tuesday, June 30
MONTICELLO — Cpl. Quint was conducting traffic enforcement in Monticello. He observed a vehicle not displaying a front registration plate and it had an expired Maine inspection certificate. A stop was made, and it was discovered the driver of the vehicle had a suspended Maine driver’s license for not paying his child support. The passenger had a valid license and was able to drive the vehicle. Cpl. Quint issued the man a criminal summons for OAS and a warning for the front plate and expired inspection sticker.
WESTFIELD — Tr. Kilcollins located a Westfield man who had two active warrants for his arrest. The warrants were for domestic violence and the man had been avoiding police. Tr. Kilcollins located the man at his residence and arrested him without incident. The man was transported to the Aroostook County Jail in Houlton.
HODGDON — Tr. Mahon responded to a local Hodgdon business when the owner reported having an issue with an employee they had recently fired. The employee had left after he created a disturbance in front of customers. Tr. Mahon located the man at his home and served him a trespass notice.
ISLAND FALLS — Tr. Saucier was called to a local construction project in Island Falls when a construction company found that several of their cameras at the worksite had been stolen. Construction repairs had been being done on a railroad bridge in the area. The investigation is active and ongoing.
Friday, July 3
MONTICELLO — Tr. Mahon was in Monticello patrolling Route 1 when he clocked a vehicle traveling north at 91 mph in a 55 mph zone. The operator was charged with criminal speed and summoned to Houlton District Court for the violation.
MONTICELLO — Tr. Mahon responded to a car/moose crash in Monticello. During the course of his investigation he learned that the operator’s license was currently under suspension. The man was summoned to Houlton District Court for operating after suspension.
Saturday, July 4
MARS HILL — Tr. Rider was conducting traffic enforcement in Mars Hill when he observed a tan Toyota Camry. Tr. Rider ran the plate and it came back to a 2000 red Ford Taurus. Tr. Rider pulled the vehicle over and after investigation, it was determined that the driver was suspended and had bail conditions. Tr. Rider charged the driver for operating after suspension, violating condition of release and false attached plates, and towed the vehicle.
NEW LIMERICK — Tr. Cotton responded to a rollover crash in New Limerick on I-95. After an investigation, Tr. Cotton determined that the operator lost control of his 2019 Ram pickup after hydroplaning in rain storm. All occupants were wearing their seatbelts and only two occupants had minor injuries.
NEW SWEDEN — Tr. Curtin charged a local man with operating after suspension. The man was charged after he drove his car off the road and crashed into some trees. He suffered minor injuries and his vehicle was towed from the scene. He was treated at a local hospital and released.
MAPLETON — Cpl. Michaud pulled over a vehicle in Mapleton after getting it on radar at 87 mph in a 50 mph zone. Cpl. Michaud cited the local woman for her speed.
PRESQUE ISLE — Cpl. Michaud pulled over a vehicle in Presque Isle after the operator committed several traffic infractions. The roadside investigation revealed that the operator’s license was under suspension, he was out on several sets of bail conditions, and he had a warrant out for his arrest. Cpl. Michaud arrested the man for the warrant and transported him to the local police department. He was charged with violating conditions of release, operating after suspension, and improper plates. He was also cited for several motor vehicle violations as well. The vehicle was towed from the scene and the man posted bail and was released with a Presque Isle Court date.
BRIDGEWATER — Tr. Mahon pulled a vehicle over on Route 1 in Bridgewater in the early morning hours of July 4. Through his investigation her learned that the operator of the vehicle had a suspended license. There were other passengers in the vehicle, but none of them had valid licenses either. The male subject was charged with operating after suspension and the vehicle was towed. The occupants made arrangements for and received a ride from the scene.
MARS HILL — The Houlton RCC received a report of an erratic driver traveling south on Route 1A in Mars Hill. At approximately 11 p.m. the center received a report via 911 of a single vehicle crash on Route 1A in Mars Hill. Tr. Steve Mahon responded and determined the following from his subsequent investigation. Eighteen-year-old Grayden Griffeth was traveling south on Route 1A in his 2008 Chevy Avalanche when he lost control and struck the guardrail. Griffeth left the roadway and went down a steep embankment rolling the vehicle onto its side. Griffeth was wearing his seatbelt and his airbags deployed but he still suffered minor injuries in the crash. Griffeth refused medical treatment. Speed and alcohol were a factor in the crash and as a result Griffeth was charged with operating under the influence of alcohol.
Sunday, July 5
WASHBURN — Tr. Martin assisted the Washburn PD with a male who was wanted by Presque Isle PD for violating a protection order. PIPD entered a temporary warrant into the system. A Washburn officer located the man near an apartment complex but was not able to take him into custody and he fled. More information came in later in the evening stating that the man was in an apartment in the apartment complex that he was last seen near. Tr. Martin arrived and was invited into the apartment by the resident. Tr. Martin located the man hiding under a bed and took him into custody without incident. Tr. Martin transported the man to PIPD where he was booked on his charges.
FORT KENT — Tr. Curtin charged a local man with violating conditions of release after stopping him in Fort Kent. Tr. Curtin had received a report of an erratic operator when a concerned citizen called and complained about the operation of a vehicle in the area. Tr. Curtin found the vehicle and after conducting his roadside investigation found alcohol and evidence of drug use in the vehicle. Further charges are anticipated once chemical test are conducted on items found in the vehicle. The man was on conditions of release stemming from previous criminal charges.
PATTEN — Tr. Saucier was in Patten when he saw a local man drive into the parking lot of a local business. Tr. Saucier knew the man’s license was currently under suspension and pulled him over. Once the vehicle stopped, a male passenger exited the vehicle and started to leave the scene. Tr. Saucier apprehended him and realized that it was another local man who had a warrant for his arrest and was supposed to be under 24/7 house arrest for a drug trafficking charge. The man was arrested by Tr. Saucier and transported to the Aroostook County Jail. The operator was charged with operating after suspension and allowed to leave the scene.
