Staff Writer
LIMESTONE — For almost two hours on Monday, local, state, and federal law enforcement personnel were in a standoff with a Limestone man holding a local woman against her will in her Pondview Road home. Jonathan Smith, 36, of Limestone, allegedly assaulted a 33-year-old female in her home and prevented her exit until about 1 p.m. after having spoken with Maine State Police Detective Dale Keegan who handled negotiations. Smith did not have a firearm.
The woman was transported to TAMC for precautionary measures and was released after examination.
Limestone Police Chief Stacy Mahan arrived at the Pondview location at approximately 11:15 a.m. for a well-being check after being notified that the woman had been talking on the phone with her son when she screamed and the phone cut off; back in February, Smith had been arrested for domestic assault against the same female.
Chief Mahan received no response from knocking on the front door numerous times, and upon moving to the side of the house, he heard muffled screaming. After failed attempts at communication, Mahan announced that he was going to attempt to enter the building; immediately after his announcement, he heard a loud bang that sounded like a gunshot and the muffled screaming stopped. It was later determined that in the struggle between Smith and the female, the sound was produced when sliding closet doors had been kicked from their hinges.
Law enforcement officials from the Maine State Police, Caribou and Fort Fairfield police departments, Maine Warden Service, U.S. Border Patrol, Aroostook Fire District 1, Crown Ambulance and U.S. Customs and Immigration assisted Chief Mahan and Limestone officers Danny Gahagan, Jessie Cormier and John Deveau.
After releasing the woman, Smith agreed to exit the building shortly after 1 p.m. and was taken into custody without further incident.
“The cooperation within these agencies ensured this safe outcome for all involved,” Mahan said, thanking all the personnel that assisted the Limestone Police Department with this incident.
After being medically examined at the Cary Medical Center, Smith was transported to the Aroostook County Jail.
Smith is being charged with violation of condition of release, burglary, domestic assault, kidnapping, obstructing the report of a crime/injury, tampering with a victim, creating police standoff and criminal mischief.
