All local (except Bar Harbor and Mount Desert) and not-quite-so-local law enforcement press releases
Aug 19, 2025
The Bar Harbor Story is generously sponsored by the Maine Seacoast Mission.
SOUTHWEST HARBOR—A single-vehicle accident in Acadia National Park this week has led to a continued search for the vehicle’s driver.
According to Acadia National Park Management Assistant John Kelly, “At 7:47 p.m., on August 18, park dispatch received a call from the Hancock County Regional Communications Center notifying us of a single vehicle accident in Acadia National Park (ANP) on Seal Cove Road in Southwest Harbor.”
“The vehicle had left the road and hit a tree,” Kelly said.
According to scanner traffic on August 18, there was airbag deployment from the vehicle’s impact with the tree.
“Park rangers responded along with the Town of Southwest Harbor Police and Fire Departments,” said Kelly, Wednesday. “Upon arrival of first responders, the operator of the vehicle could not be located. A search of the immediate area was conducted but was unsuccessful.”
The incident is currently being investigated by ANP law enforcement rangers.
BAR HARBOR AND MOUNT DESERT POLICE LOGS
The press releases for the Bar Harbor and Mount Desert Police Department will most likely be delayed until tomorrow due to not being released by press time.
SOUTHWEST HARBOR AND TREMONT
The following incidents occurred in Southwest Harbor or Tremont last week according to the Southwest Harbor Police Department police log, which is publicly released information.
Monday, August 11, 2025
After receiving a threatening complaint from someone in Tremont, Officer James Kamorski responded, investigated, and warned the suspect for criminal trespass.
Emery Goodman, 69, of Texas, was driving a 2025 Toyota Prius on Seal Cove Road in Southwest Harbor and allegedly allowed the vehicle to end up in a ditch. There was no reported injury and the vehicle, which sustained minor damage, was drivable after DC Towing pulled it out of the ditch.
After receiving complaints of a black car speeding on Freeman Ridge Road in Southwest Harbor, periodic speed details will be conducted in the area.
Tuesday, August 12, 2025
Officer Rick Graham met with a Tremont resident and came up with a plan to deal with speeders that the resident was complaining about.
Officer Graham received a report of someone in mental health crisis on Main Street in Southwest Harbor. The person was transported to the hospital.
A Southwest Harbor business complained about some construction equipment being left on their property and Officer Graham contacted the construction company to have the equipment removed.
A driver of a tractor trailer truck in Tremont reported that his truck had struck a low hanging power line on the Tremont Road. Versant Power was contacted and responded to remove the wire.
Wednesday, August 13, 2025
Officer Graham responded with the Southwest Harbor Fire Department to a fire alarm at an apartment building in Southwest Harbor. The cause was a faulty detector.
An officer responded to a report of property near a Southwest Harbor roadway and remedied the situation.
Officer Kristen Roulet took an informational report from a Southwest Harbor business that they had fired an employee but were having to have the ex-employee’s vehicle towed from the property.
Officer Roulet helped a Southwest Harbor resident gain access back into her apartment after she had locked herself out.
Officer Roulet directed traffic for a broken-down vehicle on Main Street in Southwest Harbor until DC Towing could remove the vehicle.
Officer Kamorski responded to a motor vehicle complaint in Southwest Harbor but could not locate the suspect vehicle.
Officer Kamorski responded to a report of a verbal argument between two people in Southwest Harbor and issued one of the people a warning for disorderly conduct.
Thursday, August 14, 2025
Officer Kamorski responded to a reported parking issue on Clark Point Road in Southwest Harbor and resolved the issue.
Officer Roulet handled a complaint regarding one Southwest Harbor resident harassing their neighbor.
Someone struck a delivery truck in Southwest Harbor and drove away Officer Roulet is handling the complaint.
Officer Kamorski fingerprinted someone in Southwest Harbor at the request of the Bar Harbor Police Department.
A Southwest Harbor resident gave Officer Kamorski information.
Officer Kamorski received a report of a loose dog in Southwest Harbor, but the dog owner called and said that they had retrieved their dog prior to officer Kamorski’s response.
Officer Kamorski responded to a motor vehicle complaint in Southwest Harbor but could not locate the suspect vehicle.
Officer Kamorski assisted the ambulance service in Tremont.
Friday, August 15, 2025
Officer Bradley Russell fingerprinted someone at the Southwest Harbor Police Department.
Officer Russell assisted the Southwest Harbor Fire Department at its request.
Officer Roulet responded to a request for assistance on the Shore Road from the Southwest Harbor Harbor Master for a boat that was taking on water but her assistance was no longer needed when she arrived.
Officer Roulet assisted DHHS while its staff conducted an investigation in Southwest Harbor.
After receiving complaints from two people in Southwest Harbor who had gotten into an argument with each other, Officer Russell warned both people for disorderly conduct.
Saturday, August 16, 2025
Officer Russell responded to a barking dog complaint in Southwest Harbor.
Officer Graham performed traffic control while the Tremont Volunteer Fire Department extinguished a very small brush fire in Tremont.
The Mount Desert Police Department gave the Southwest Harbor Police Department a message that someone had asked to be passed along.
According to Officer Roulet, who was the responding officer in Southwest Harbor, “The Southwest Harbor Police Department received a call about a black lab that ran away during bath time. The lab was found frolicking in the woods behind a garage down the road from its residence. She enjoyed her bacon treats to lure her into the patrol vehicle.”
Officer Graham responded with the ambulance service in Tremont and help lift and carry a patient.
A Southwest Harbor resident went to the police station seeking advice regarding an order that they had been issued. Officer Graham advised the person to contact the issuing agency.
Officer Graham responded to a report of a dog that was left in a camper vehicle on Main Street in Southwest Harbor. The vehicle was leaving when Officer Graham arrived, but he was able to note that the dog appeared “happy and healthy.”
Officers responded with the fire department to a report of smoke at a residence in Tremont. It was determined that there was no issue.
An officer responded to a noise complaint in Tremont and resolved the issue.
A Tremont resident reported that an injured loon had flown into their garage. The Maine Warden Service was contacted and they advised to give the loon a few hours to recover and if it did not seem to recover, then to call them back. Officer Graham received no further information regarding this complaint.
Sunday, August 17, 2025
An officer responded to an alarm in Southwest Harbor and the issue was resolved.
Officer Russell responded to a report of an out-of-control juvenile in Southwest Harbor. After Officer Russell investigated the complaint, the juvenile was transported to the hospital.
Officer Russell spoke with a Tremont resident who had concerns about another person.
A Southwest Harbor resident gave Officer Russell information regarding another person.
Officer Russell responded to a report of an injured deer walking along the road in Southwest Harbor but could not locate the deer.
Officer Russell received a request to help a Southwest Harbor resident get back into their apartment after they had locked themselves out. Officer Russell was busy at the time, so another agency assisted and got the person back into their apartment.
While searching for two loose dogs along a roadway in Southwest Harbor, Officer Russell met with the dogs’ owner who helped look for the dogs. The owner found the dogs a short time later and notified the police department.
STATE POLICE PRESS RELEASES
These are the Maine State Police press releases from the last few days. The Bar Harbor Story will include these each week though most (and sometimes all) do not occur on Mount Desert Island.
Fire Marshal’s Office Investigates Veazie Apartment Fire
VEAZIE—On August 12, 2025, at approximately 3:02 p.m., the Penobscot County Regional Communications Center received a report of a structure fire at 5 Thompson Road in Veazie. Veazie Police and Fire Departments responded and arrived to find a two-story, 20-unit apartment building with active fire involvement.
The fire had spread up the rear exterior of the building and extended into the roof. A third alarm was requested, prompting a large mutual aid response from Bangor, Brewer, Orono, Old Town, the Air National Guard, Hermon, Hampden, Eddington, Holden, Milford, Bradley, Orrington, Howland, and Northern Light EMS.
Thanks to a swift and coordinated response, fire crews were able to contain the fire to four apartments. Neighboring units sustained water and smoke damage.
One adult male occupant was transported to Northern Light Eastern Maine Medical Center for treatment of second-degree burns to his feet. Unfortunately, one dog and possibly a cat perished in the fire. Additionally, over a dozen firefighters were treated on scene for heat-related illnesses.
Investigators from the State Fire Marshal’s Office responded and conducted a scene investigation. Preliminary findings indicate the fire originated on an exterior porch due to the improper disposal of smoking materials.
The American Red Cross was contacted to assist displaced residents.
Bangor Woman Charged With Arson in Connection With Domestic Disturbance in Cambridge
CAMBRIDGE—On Monday, August 11, the Somerset County Sheriff’s Office responded to 288 Ham Hill Road in Cambridge for a domestic disturbance. During their investigation, they requested assistance from the State Fire Marshal’s Office to investigate the cause of a fire that had occurred at the residence.
Fire Investigators responded to the scene at 6:55 p.m. Through interviews and a fire scene examination, investigators concluded that a fire involving personal property had occurred outside of the residence and had been intentionally set. Investigators learned Jaime Johnson was not the owner of the property involved and did not live at the residence. Johnson was arrested and charged with the following offenses:
- Domestic violence criminal threatening with a dangerous weapon, class C.
- Domestic violence assault (2 priors), class C.
- Violating conditions of release, class E.
- Arson, class A.
Ms. Johnson is currently being held on $25,000 cash bail at the Somerset County Jail.
Fire Marshal’s Office Investigating Camper Fire on Gerrish Drive
SANFORD—The State Fire Marshal’s Office is actively investigating the cause of a camper fire that occurred behind 26 Gerrish Drive on Tuesday, August 12, 2025. The fire broke out shortly after 2:00 PM.
Initial concerns were raised about the possibility of an occupant being inside the camper at the time of the fire. However, after a thorough search of the scene, with the assistance of Sanford Public Works, investigators confirmed that no one was inside the camper.
Fire investigators are expected to return to the area to continue their investigation. Both the Sanford Fire Department and Sanford Police Department are assisting in the ongoing efforts.
The area is known to be frequented by transients, and authorities are considering that context as part of their investigation.
Investigation of Child Abuse in Dexter Leads to Domestic Violence Arrest
DEXTER—On the evening of Aug 7, 2025, members of the Dexter Police Department received a report of suspected abuse of a seven-month-old infant. The infant was transported to a local hospital with serious injuries. The Dexter Police Department requested the Maine State Police / Major Crimes Unit North to lead the investigation.
Detectives responded and investigated in partnership with the Dexter Police Department and the Department of Health and Human Services. On August 13, 2025, the victim’s father, 23-year-old Kolby Drake, of Dexter, was arrested after an arrest warrant was issued for the crimes of aggravated assault (class B), assault (class C), and domestic violence assault (class D). Kolby Drake was booked at the Penobscot County Jail.
This is an isolated incident with no ongoing public safety concerns. More information will be released as it becomes available.
Anyone with relevant information related to this case should please call (207) 973-3700, EXT. 9 and ask to speak with Det. Dana Austin.
Information related to this case may also be submitted to the Major Crimes Unit – North via an online tip portal. https://www.maine.gov/dps/msp/about/report-crime/major-crimes-unit-north
If you or someone you know is a victim of a crime related to domestic abuse in the State of Maine, please call the Statewide Domestic Violence Helpline at 1-866-834-HELP.
Investigation Leads to Discovery of Deceased 3-year-old Child in Milford
MILFORD—On the evening of Aug 9, 2025, members of the Penobscot County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO) responded to a local business in Milford and located a 3-year-old female child deceased inside a vehicle. The vehicle was owned by the child’s mother, 40-year-old Kelly Brown, of Havertown, Pennsylvania. Brown was located nearby and was detained by law enforcement.
Brown and her child had been subjects of an earlier issued attempt to locate and check their well-being at the request of concerned family members. Once the child’s death was discovered, PCSO requested Maine State Police / Major Crimes Unit North’s assistance with the investigation. Detectives and members of the Maine State Police Evidence Response Team responded to conduct an investigation in partnership with PCSO. At approximately 5:00 a.m., on Aug 10, 2025, Kelly Brown was arrested by the Maine State Police and charged with the crime of Manslaughter. Kelly Brown was booked at the Penobscot County Jail.
The child was transported to the Office of Chief Medical Examiner in Augusta, where an autopsy was performed on August 11, 2025, to determine the cause and manner of death. The Deputy Chief Medical Examiner reported that the cause and manner of death were currently pending additional studies, but that hyperthermia (an elevated body temperature) was consistent with the symptoms presented and was the most likely cause of death based on the current information.
On August 11, 2025, Kelly Brown had an initial appearance at the Penobscot Judicial Center, where she was formally charged with the crime of manslaughter, and bail was set.
This is an isolated incident with no ongoing public safety concerns. More information will be released as it becomes available.
Anyone with relevant information related to this case should please call (207) 973-3700, EXT. 9 and ask to speak with Det. Larry Anderson.
Information related to this case may also be submitted to the Major Crimes Unit – North via an online tip portal. https://www.maine.gov/dps/msp/about/report-crime/major-crimes-unit-north
Maine State Police Investigating Homicide in Waldoboro
WALDOBORO—On Saturday, August 9, 2025, at approximately 8:25 a.m., the Waldoboro Police Department received a 911 call from a person checking on the well-being of a female residing on the Genthner Road in Waldoboro. Waldoboro Police Officers and Lincoln County Sheriff Deputies responded to the residence and located a deceased adult female.
The Waldoboro Police Department requested assistance from the Maine State Police Major Crimes Unit-Central, which responded and initiated an investigation. The deceased was transported to the Office of Chief Medical Examiner in Augusta, where an autopsy was conducted on Sunday afternoon, August 10, 2025.
The victim has been identified as 53-year-old Levern Kelley, of Waldoboro. The manner of death has been ruled a homicide. The cause of death is not being released at this time.
On August 15, 2025, detectives from the Maine State Police Major Crimes Unit-Central obtained an arrest warrant for James Clark, 49, of Damariscotta, charging him with murder. The warrant was issued following several days of investigation into the death of Kelley.
Clark fled Maine and was located with the assistance of the MIAC in Maine and Volusia County, Florida. Major Crimes Unit Detectives coordinated with the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office, who arrested Clark at the Red Carpet Inn in the South Daytona area at 6:40 p.m., on August, 15, 2025. Clark was arrested without incident and is awaiting extradition to Maine. Updates will be provided when appropriate.
Windham Shooting Update
WINDHAM—On Friday, August 15, 2025, at approximately 1:55 p.m., the Windham Police Department was notified of a shooting that occurred at the intersection of Roosevelt Trail (Route 302) and Landing Road in Windham. Witnesses reported a male on a motorcycle, later identified as Erin Hayne, 33, of Casco, suffering from gunshot wounds. Witnesses, along with a Maine Game Warden who happened to be in the area, began life-saving measures on Hayne. Hayne was eventually pronounced deceased on scene by medical personnel from the Windham Fire Department.
Windham PD, along with Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office, Maine State Police, and Maine Game Wardens, responded to the scene. The Maine State Police Major Crimes Unit South was requested to respond to lead the investigation.
Witnesses reported that a silver sedan pulled up next to Hayne, then pointed a firearm from the vehicle and fired numerous shots at Hayne. Witnesses in a U-Haul truck began to follow the shooter’s vehicle while calling 911, providing the license plate to dispatchers. The U-Haul eventually lost sight of the vehicle near the Raymond/Windham town line.
Deputies from the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office located the suspect’s vehicle behind the Dunkin Donuts on Route 302 in Raymond, but it was unoccupied. The area was secured and a perimeter was established. The Maine State Police Tactical Team conducted a K9 track and located the suspect’s body.
Investigators withheld the status of the deceased male and the names of those involved while they worked on positively identifying them and making attempts to notify the next of kin.
The Maine State Police Major Crimes Unit, along with the Windham Police Department, was able to positively identify the male as James Ford, 48, of Windham, the registered owner of the vehicle. The investigation revealed Ford left his apartment in Windham shortly before the shooting. Ford was observed as the only occupant of the vehicle and lived alone. The investigation is still ongoing, and there is no known connection between Hayne and Ford.
Route 302 in Windham was closed for approximately six hours while members of the Maine State Police Evidence Response Team documented and collected evidence from the scene. The bodies of Hayne and Ford were transported to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner for autopsies. The autopsies were performed on August 16 at the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner. Hayne’s cause of death was multiple gunshot wounds, and his manner was declared a homicide. Ford’s cause of death was a single gunshot wound, and his manner was a suicide.
The investigation is still ongoing. Anyone who happened to be in the area of the shooting or traveling on Route 302 at the time of the incident and who may have video is asked to use the QR code below to provide investigators with the video.
The Maine State Police and Windham Police would like to thank the numerous agencies that responded, including the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office, Maine Warden Service, Maine Forestry Service, and the fire departments from Raymond and Windham.
The investigation will continue by members of the State Police Major Crimes Unit South, and we will provide more information when it becomes available.
Fire Marshal’s Office Investigating Fatal Fire in Washburn
WASHBURN—On August 18, 2025 at approximately midnight, a 911 call was placed to Houlton RCC reporting a structure fire at 61 Brook Side Circle in Washburn. The Washburn Fire Department and the Aroostook County Sheriff’s Office responded to the scene. Upon arrival, fire department personnel located a single-wide trailer fully involved.
There were two subjects transported to AR Gould Hospital in Presque Isle with injuries related to the fire. A male subject was later discovered deceased in the fire, and the Office of the State Fire Marshal was requested to assist in the investigation.
A team of investigators responded and recovered the remains of the adult male subject, who is tentatively being identified as Steven T. Belmain, 62, of Washburn. The deceased is being transported to the Maine Medical Examiner’s office for an autopsy. The initial investigation shows that the use of a generator in the entryway of the structure caused the fire.
Washburn Fire was assisted on scene by the Mapleton and the Presque Isle Fire Departments.
Fire Marshal’s Office Investigating Rangeley Fire
RANGELEY—On Friday, August 15, 2025, the Maine State Fire Marshal’s Office was requested to assist the Rangeley Fire and Police Departments with a fire investigation at 50 Pleasant Street, Rangeley. Investigators determined that the property, a vacant one- and two-story home with an attached garage/barn, is owned by a Massachusetts resident. The scene examination revealed the structure had been entered and ransacked. Multiple small fires that had self-extinguished were discovered, resulting in only minimal damage.
The investigation identified a 14-year-old male suspect, who was already on supervised release for a prior offense. Further inquiry revealed the same individual was also involved in a separate fire at the Saddleback View Apartments on August 9, 2025.
On August 18, 2025, investigators established probable cause relating to the fires, and the juvenile was taken into custody. He was charged with arson related to the Saddleback View Apartments incident. The Rangeley Police Department then transported him to the Long Creek Youth Development Center in South Portland. Given the age of the offender, no further details will be released.
The Maine State Fire Marshal’s Office extends its appreciation to the Rangeley Fire Department, Rangeley Police Department, and the Department of Corrections, Juvenile Community Corrections Office, for their assistance in this ongoing investigation.
HANCOCK COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT
The following are the public releases from the Hancock County Sheriff’s Department. Each image can be clicked on and expanded.
Follow us on Facebook. And as a reminder, you can easily view all our past stories and press releases here.
Bar Harbor Story is a mostly self-supported publication. To receive new posts and support our work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Thank you for being here with us and caring about our community, too!
Thanks for reading Bar Harbor Story! This post is public so feel free to share it.
If you’d like to donate to help support us, you can, but no pressure! Just click here (about how you can give) or here (a direct link), which is the same as the button below.
If you’d like to sponsor the Bar Harbor Story, you can! Learn more here.
THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING OUR COMMITMENT TO YOUR COMMUNITY
You can help us keep bringing you local and daily news from two people who live here. Thanks for your help!
Make a monthly donation
Make a yearly donation
Choose an amount
Or enter a custom amount
Your contribution is appreciated.
Your contribution is appreciated.
Your contribution is appreciated.
DonateDonate monthlyDonate yearlyDiscover more from Bar Harbor Story
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.