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 May 4-10, including the following.
Tuesday, May 5
BENEDICTA — A male subject reported the theft of some tools from his shop in Benedicta. The male has reported numerous thefts in the past few months. Tr. Cotton developed a suspect and interviewed him at a residence in Stacyville. Investigation is ongoing.
MERRILL — A female subject reported that she had received a suspicious cashier’s check in the mail stemming from a Craigslist sale of a wood boiler. Tr. Cotton learned that she had been in contact with someone from Florida who wanted to purchase the wood boiler. The subject sent a check to the female from a business in Idaho for twice the amount of their asking price of the wood boiler. The female noted that this was suspicious, so she called. Initially she had called the banks, who advised that the check was legitimate, and more recently her bank in Maine advised it was fraudulent. Tr. Cotton was able to explain to the family that this was a common Craigslist scam. They did not give out any personal financial information.
Wednesday, May 6
WOODLAND — Tr. Rider investigated an incident in Woodland. A homeowner woke to some noise near her back door and discovered a man was trying to open the door. When the man saw the homeowner, he fled the area. Tr. Rider, with assistance from the Aroostook County Sheriff’s Department, searched the area but were not able to locate the suspect.
Thursday, May 7
WESTFIELD — Tr. Desrosier was conducting traffic enforcement on U.S. Highway 1, Westfield, and stopped a vehicle for an infraction. During the investigation, he discovered the driver had a suspended driver’s license. Tr. Desrosier helped the man arrange to have a licensed driver come get him and the vehicle. He was issued a criminal summons for the violation.
TOWN NOT LISTED — Tr. Castonguay received a complaint of a suspicious vehicle from an off-duty Trooper. Tr. Castonguay patrolled the area and located the vehicle. An investigation disclosed that a juvenile female had left her home and was walking to meet the adult male driver. Tr. Castonguay discovered the male had a suspended driver’s license. He was issued a traffic summons for the violation. Tr. Castonguay took the girl back home and explained the incident to her mother. The mother was not aware the girl had left the house and stated she would address the issue.
Friday, May 8
HODGDON — Tr. Mahon was conducting traffic enforcement in Hodgdon and stopped a vehicle for a defective exhaust. During the stop, Tr. Mahon discovered the driver falsely attached plates to the vehicle. The man stated he was not able to register the vehicle, so he put plates on from another vehicle. The man removed the plates and was issued a criminal summons for the violation.
Saturday, May 9
WOODLAND — Tr. Levesque responded to Woodland for a personal injury accident. A 17-year-old was traveling on 161 when they lost control in a snow drift and stuck a telephone pole. The 17-year-old was transported to the hospital for minor injuries.
ISLAND FALLS — Tr. Cotton stopped a motor vehicle on the Crystal Road in Island Falls for numerous traffic infractions. It was determined that the operator was suspended. Tr. Cotton issued the man a summons and the operator and passenger were able to park the vehicle and walk home until a licensed driver could come pick it up.
MERRILL — Tr. Castonguay stopped a vehicle in Merrill for a traffic infraction. During the stop, Tr. Castonguay discovered the man’s driver’s license expired in 2009. The man had no valid reason for not renewing his license. Tr. Castonguay helped him arrange to have a licensed driver come get him and the vehicle. The man was issued a criminal summons for the violation.
