The Bar Harbor Story is generously sponsored by the Maine Seacoast Mission.
BAR HARBOR—On September 11, Officer Troy Stanwood received a complaint alleging animal abuse at a campground on Route 3 in Bar Harbor. The complaint was based on witness statements and no abusive behavior was witnessed by Officer Stanwood. The witness(es) were specifically alleging that the suspect, David Alexander, 30, of Bangor, was abusing his dog.
Maine law only allows a warrantless arrest for misdemeanor crimes that did not occur in an officer’s presence under certain circumstances.
According to Police Chief David Kerns, Alexander would not relinquish his dog to Officer Stanwood on September 11.
On September 12, after having applied for and obtaining an arrest warrant charging cruelty to an animal, Officer Stanwood arrested Alexander at the campground.
This allowed Officer Stanwood to take possession of the dog and also allowed the opportunity to request that Alexander’s bail conditions include “prohibiting him (from) possessing, attending to, or having on his premise any domestic animals or being on the premise of any animal shelter or dog park” according to Chief Kerns.
The dog was taken to the Small Animal Clinic in Ellsworth because the Town of Bar Harbor has a preexisting agreement with the clinic for dog care.
BAR HARBOR AND MOUNT DESERT POLICE LOGS
The following incidents occurred in Bar Harbor and Mount Desert last week according to the Bar Harbor and Mount Desert Police Department police logs, which is publicly released information.
Tuesday, September 9, 2025
Officer Ted Cake performed a requested well-being check on a person in Bar Harbor but could not locate the person to be checked on.
Officer Liam Harrington looked for a reported loose dog in Town Hill but could not find the dog.
Officer Harrington served court paperwork to a person in Bar Harbor.
Officer T. Cake spoke with someone on the phone in Mount Desert. The person had concerns about a family member.
Officer Zack Kline performed a well-being check on someone in Bar Harbor and determined that they were fine.
Officer Lukas Keene issued someone a cease harassment warning and a no trespassing warning in Mount Desert.
Wednesday, September 10, 2025
Sgt. Soren Sundberg is investigating the theft of a bicycle in Bar Harbor.
A window was reported broken at the snack shack at MDI High School and Officer Troy Stanwood determined that it did not appear as though anything was taken.
Sgt. Chris Dickens took a report from someone in Bar Harbor who had fallen victim to a fraud scheme and provided them with some education and technical advice in an effort to prevent them from being a victim again.
Officer Stanwood transported someone from Bar Harbor to a medical facility in Bangor.
A person from Otter Creek and Sgt. Jerrod Hardy discussed a property dispute.
Sgt. Dickens responded to a report of construction noise “causing a disturbance to the peace” in Seal Harbor but everything was quiet when he arrived.
Officer Judson Cake moved a hazard from Eden Street in Bar Harbor.
Thursday, September 11, 2025
Following a traffic stop in Bar Harbor, Officer Stanwood summoned Tuan Nguyen, 29, of Ellsworth, for criminal speed (30+ mph over the speed limit).
The Mount Desert Police Department received a call from a woman who said that her dog was locked in her car. The caller was given phone numbers for wrecker services that could unlock her car for her.
Officer Amie Torrey received a report of an accident at the Northeast Harbor Marina.
Officer Stanwood provided emergency lights for a vehicle that was broken down in Bar Harbor until a tow truck could arrive.
Officer Stanwood looked for a vehicle that was reported to be blocking Pretty Marsh Road in Mount Desert but could not find any such vehicle.
Officer Nathan Formby performed a requested well-being check in Mount Desert but the person to be checked on had left the area prior to Officer Formby’s arrival.
A person in Bar Harbor reported that their scooter had been stolen from their place of employment, but it was later determined that the complainant had left the scooter at a second place of employment and recovered the scooter.
Friday, September 12, 2025
A woman who was reportedly causing issues at a Bar Harbor business was removed from the business by Officer Keene.
Officer Formby documented some non-criminal information in Mount Desert.
Officer J. Cake took a report of a vehicle complaint on Sound Drive in Mount Desert and found the complaint to be unfounded.
A woman in Mount Desert reported a non-criminal civil issue to Officer Caleb Mora.
Officer T. Cake provided some law enforcement information to another agency for an ongoing investigation.
Officer T. Cake is investigating a reported assault in Bar Harbor.
Sgt. Dickens gave someone a ride from the hospital to their residence in Bar Harbor.
Officer Kevin Edgecomb worked a detail at MDI High School.
Saturday, September 13, 2025
Officers Edgecomb and Mora provided traffic control for the MDI YMCA half marathon and 5k races in Bar Harbor.
Officer T. Cake responded to a report of possible gunshots in Bar Harbor but could not hear and gunshots while patrolling the area of the complaint.
Sgt. Doug Brundrett provided a man from Pottsville, Arkansas, a ride to the downtown area of Bar Harbor and some resources after learning that he was in need of some assistance.
Following a crash investigation in Mount Desert, Maureen Cosgrove, 56, of Southwest Harbor, was arrested for operating under the influence. Cosgrove was taken to the Bar Harbor Police Department for testing and then to Hancock County Jail.
Officer Stanwood received a report of a dog biting a human in Bar Harbor.
Officer Kaleb Payson responded to a noise complaint in Bar Harbor and found it to be unsubstantiated.
Sunday, September 14, 2025
Officer Justin Burnett gave someone a ride home in Bar Harbor after the person received medical care.
Following a traffic stop in Bar Harbor, Officer Payson arrested Keegan Simons, 31, of Cape Neddick, Maine, for operating under the influence. Simons was also charged with criminal speed. Simons was transported to the Hancock County Jail.
Sgt. Brundrett and Officer Harrington assisted the Bar Harbor Fire Department on a medical call in Bar Harbor.
A vehicle was reported to be speeding and making bad passes on the Eagle Lake Road in Bar Harbor but all officers were out of position to intercept the vehicle.
Officer Harrington took a report of a parking issue on a private road in Bar Harbor.
Officer Harrington received a late report of the theft of an ornamental grasshopper from a Bar Harbor residence.
A loose dog was returned to its owner in Bar Harbor by Officer Keene.
Someone reported that suspicious individuals have been walking around the Bay View Drive area in Bar Harbor and just wanted law enforcement to be aware of it.
Officer Payson warned multiple people for a municipal violation in Bar Harbor and moved them along.
Monday, September 15, 2025
After receiving a harassment complaint in Bar Harbor, Officer Mora issued a juvenile from another town a cease harassment notice.
Sgt. Brundrett responded to a report of an older man walking in the roadway and obstructing traffic on Eden Street in Bar Harbor. Sgt. Brundrett located the man, warned him for obstructing a public way and advised him to stay out of the travel lanes.
Officer Stanwood removed some debris from the roadway on Sound Drive in Mount Desert.
Officer Mora received a delayed motor vehicle complaint in Bar Harbor but took no action due to lack of information.
Officer Stanwood received a report of a missing juvenile in Mount Desert. The juvenile was located by another agency.
Officer Stanwood spoke with someone regarding a property line dispute in Bar Harbor.
After receiving a report of an intoxicated man in Bar Harbor, Officer Stanwood located the man, warned him for trespassing and disorderly conduct, and then transported him to the hospital for an evaluation.
A woman in Bar Harbor reported an online scam to Officer Mora. The woman was already working with a company to rectify the situation.
After receiving a request to check on a pedestrian in Bar Harbor, Officer Mora did so and determined that the person was fine.
Officer Stanwood took a noise complaint in Northeast Harbor that he determined to be unsubstantiated.
Sgt. Hardy performed a well-being check in Bar Harbor and determined that the person was fine.
Officer Keene spoke with a woman in Bar Harbor who was having an issue paying a bill to a television provider. Officer Keene gave the woman advice on how to appropriately handle the payment and avoid being scammed.
Officer Keene helped a woman search for her missing dog in Bar Harbor. The dog was not located that evening and Officer Keene suggested that she continue the search during daylight hours.
Shammar Edie, 33, of Bar Harbor, was driving a 2017 Audi Q5 east on Crooked Road in Bar Harbor when the vehicle left the roadway to the left, Edie overcorrected and the vehicle left the roadway to the right and came to rest in a ditch. The vehicle was towed due to disabling damage. Edie was arrested for operating under the influence and charged with operating without a license and failure to maintain control of a motor vehicle. Edie declined medical treatment at the scene but was seen by hospital staff prior to being transported to the Hancock County Jail.
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, September 8, 2025
Officer Bradley Russell spoke with the parents of a juvenile in Tremont and discussed their options after receiving a report of having problems with the juvenile.
After being requested to look for a vehicle in Southwest Harbor to assist another agency with an investigation, Officer Russell provided the requested assistance.
Officer Russell received information from someone in Southwest Harbor regarding an ongoing situation.
Robert Cook, 43, no hometown given, was summoned by Officer Russell for criminal threatening following an investigation involving threats to a Southwest Harbor business.
Officer Russell responded to Tremont for a complaint regarding issues with a juvenile but failed to locate anything out of the ordinary. He did speak with the reporting party about the issues.
Tuesday, September 9, 2025
Officer Rick Graham responded to Tremont for a report of a low hanging wire. It was determined to be an old telephone wire which was removed by Tremont Volunteer Fire Department Chief Keith Higgins.
Officer Kristen Roulet issued a no trespass warning on behalf of a Tremont resident.
Officer Graham responded to check on a large piece of lumber that was reported to be in the roadway at the bottom of Long Hill in Southwest Harbor and found the lumber to be gone when he arrived.
Officer Graham spoke with someone at the Southwest Harbor Police Department about a recent case.
Officer Graham responded with the ambulance service to a medical call in Southwest Harbor.
Wednesday, September 10, 2025
Sgt. Ryan Blakeney transported someone from MDI Hospital in Bar Harbor to Acadia Hospital.
Officer James Kamorski served a subpoena to a Southwest Harbor resident on behalf of the Bar Harbor Police Department.
Officer Kamorski searched for a reportedly injured deer in Southwest Harbor but failed to locate the deer.
Sgt. Blakeney searched for a reported loose dog on Main Street in Southwest Harbor but failed to locate the dog.
Sgt. Blakeney searched for a loose dog on Clark Point Road in Southwest Harbor, located the dog, and took it back to the police station where the owner picked the dog up.
Thursday, September 11, 2025
Sgt. Blakeney served paperwork from the town office to someone in Southwest Harbor.
Officer Kamorski spoke with someone at the Southwest Harbor Police Department regarding a parking issue and was able to resolve the issue.
Officer Kamorski responded to a report of someone riding a dirt bike down the street in Southwest Harbor but could not locate the dirt bike.
Officer Kamorski received a report of a loose dog near Indian Brook Road in Southwest Harbor and the dog was returned to its owner.
Officer Kamorski responded with the ambulance service to a medical call in Southwest Harbor.
Friday, September 12, 2025
After receiving a report of a large fire in a fire pit in a public area in Southwest Harbor, Officer Kamorski responded and found it to be small, smoldering, and contained in the fire pit.
After receiving a report from a Tremont resident that someone may be sleeping at a property the complainant owns, Officer Russell responded, found the person sleeping inside of the residence, and issued them a no trespass warning for the property.
Officer Russell responded to a parking complaint in Southwest Harbor and spoke with the vehicle owner about the complaint.
Officer Russell performed a well-being check in Southwest Harbror and found the person to be fine.
Officer Russell responded to a school in Tremont to assist with a juvenile issue.
Officer Russell received information from another state agency.
After receiving a report of someone riding a mini-bike on a public way in Southwest Harbor after dark with no lights, Officer Russell responded but failed to locate the mini-bike.
Officer Russell received a report of a suspicious vehicle driving up and down a road in Tremont, responded, and discovered that the vehicle had already left the area.
Saturday, September 13, 2025
Officer Graham responded with the ambulance service to a medical call in Southwest Harbor.
Officer Graham responded to a report of an injured deer on Tremont Road in Tremont and euthanized the deer.
A Southwest Harbor resident reported damage to her property that had occurred overnight. Officer Graham responded and found that a vehicle had hit a granite light fixture and knocked it over. Officer Graham was able to get the light fixture upright again without any damage.
Officer Graham responded to a parking complaint on Main Street in Southwest Harbor but the offending vehicle had left before he arrived.
While on patrol in Southwest Harbor, Officer Graham came across a verbal domestic dispute. Officer Graham was able to determine that no physical contact had been made and the two people agreed to not have contact for the rest of the night.
Sunday, September 14, 2025
Officer Graham responded to a noise complaint on Main Street in Southwest Harbor, spoke with the person responsible for the noise, and had no further issues.
Officer Kamorski made the remaining Southwest Harbor officers aware of a complaint regarding vehicles speeding on a private road in Southwest Harbor.
Officer Kamorski responded to a report of a suspicious vehicle in Tremont and was able to resolve the issue.
After speaking with a juvenile regarding family issues, Officer Kamorski transported the juvenile to Northern Light Maine Coast Hospital for a mental health evaluation and made a referral to DHHS.
Officer Russell responded to a report of an injured deer on a Southwest Harbor road and euthanized the deer.
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.
MDEA Investigation Nets Two Arrests and Two Kilos of Illegal Drugs
BANGOR—On Tuesday afternoon, September 9, 2025, agents assigned to Maine Drug Enforcement’s North Central District Task Force, executed a search warrant at an apartment located at 94 Sidney Street in Bangor. The search warrant was based on a several month’s long investigation into the trafficking of fentanyl and cocaine, which included several undercover purchases of fentanyl.
William Sanchez, 39, of Waterbury, Connecticut, was arrested prior to the execution of the search warrant and charged with class A, aggravated trafficking of cocaine HCL, cocaine base, and fentanyl. Bail was set at $150,000 cash.
Eileen Chase, 45, of Bangor, Maine, was arrested Wednesday afternoon September 10, 2025, and charged with class A, aggravated trafficking of fentanyl. Bail was set at $100,000 Cash.
As a result of the search warrant, agents located and seized a kilo of cocaine, a kilo of suspected fentanyl, 284ggw cocaine base (crack), 2 handguns, and over $36,000 in suspected drug proceeds.
More arrests and charges are expected based on this investigation.
Maine Drug Enforcement’s North Central Task Force was assisted by the Bangor Police Department, US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Department of Homeland Security, and the Bureau of Indian Affairs.
All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
The MDEA stands committed to working with all federal, state, county, and local law enforcement partners in order to continue to identify and disrupt drug trafficking organizations who are attempting to distribute illicit drugs like fentanyl, cocaine and methamphetamine in the State of Maine.
If you or someone you know suffers from substance, use disorder, please call 211 or text your zip code to 898-211 for a list of resources available in your area.
If you have information about this investigation or the illegal sale of drugs in your community, you are urged to contact the Maine Drug Enforcement office closest to you or by texting MDEA to TIP411 (847411) or by calling the MDEA tip-line at 1-800-452-6457.
Maine State Police Investigating Tractor Trailer Crash on Turnpike in Scarborough
SCARBOROUGH—On Friday, September 12, 2025, at approximately 12:47 a.m., a tractor trailer crashed into the Gorham Road overpass bridge at mile 44 south in Scarborough. Preliminary investigation showed that the operator of the tractor trailer may have experienced a medical event and struck the center median wall before striking the bridge abutment. The operator was transported to Maine Medical Center with minor injuries.
The southbound traffic was limited to one lane of travel for 5.5 hours and northbound traffic was limited to two lanes of travel for three hours. Troop G was assisted by the Maine Turnpike Authority, South Portland Fire, Maine DEP, Ray’s Towing, New England Truck Center, and Clean Harbors. The crash remains under investigation.
Maine State Police Investigating Crash in Aroostook County
SHERMAN—On Friday, September 12, 2025, at approximately 7:52 a.m., troopers responded to a crash involving a vehicle and a horse-drawn wagon on Benedicta Road in Sherman. The initial investigation indicates the driver of a 2003 Toyota pickup attempted to pass the horse and wagon, which were traveling in the same direction, but reported she did not have enough room to safely do so and struck the wagon.
The male operator of the wagon was ejected and landed on the roadway. He was transported to Houlton Regional Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. The wagon was destroyed in the crash, and the horse sustained a laceration to its leg and foot. The driver of the Toyota, 42-year-old Lindsay Duffy-Stanley, of Benedicta, was not injured. She was cited for driving to endanger.
Maine State Police Investigates Vehicle Submerged in Stream After Crash
GARDINER—On Sunday, September 14, 2025, at approximately 7:00 a.m., a trooper from Troop I responded to a report of a vehicle that had driven off I-295 southbound at the West Gardiner/Gardiner line and into the Cobbosseecontee Stream beneath the bridge. Trooper Tom Bureau arrived within minutes and was advised by a witness that the vehicle was submerged in the water and had not been seen since it crashed.
Trooper Bureau immediately removed his duty belt and protective equipment before entering the water in an effort to rescue the driver. Trooper Bureau swam about seven feet down and was able to feel the vehicle but was unable to open the door due to oil in the water. He remained in the water for approximately five minutes attempting to gain access before learning that the driver had safely escaped and swam to a nearby residence.
The preliminary investigation indicates the driver 27-year-old Brandon Nale, of Winslow, fell asleep while driving. His vehicle, a 2020 Audi Sedan left the roadway to the left, traveled down an embankment between the guardrails, struck a sign and a concrete barrier, and then launched into the stream. Nale was able to open the door and swim away before the vehicle sank. He was transported to Maine General Hospital in Augusta with non-life-threatening injuries.
The Maine State Police Dive Team assisted in recovering the vehicle. The left lane of I-295 was shut down for approximately one hour during the recovery. State Police were assisted at the scene by Gardiner Fire & Rescue, West Gardiner Fire, Maine DOT, and AC Towing.
Arrest Made Following Investigation Into Threats Against the University of New England
BIDDEFORD—On Monday morning, September 15, 2025, the Maine State Police, in coordination with the Biddeford Police Department, investigated a report of concerning comments made by an individual at a restaurant in Cornish. The comments referenced potential threats directed toward the University of New England in Biddeford.
Troopers identified the individual as 24-year-old Blake Tibbetts, of Cornish. He was detained, evaluated at a local hospital, and subsequently transported to the York County Jail.
At the request of MSP, the Maine Fire Marshal’s Office and the Federal Bureau of Investigation responded to assist in the investigation. During the investigation, agencies located bomb-making materials at Tibbetts’ residence on Old Limington Road.
Following this discovery, the Maine Fire Marshal’s Office charged Tibbetts with:
- Terrorizing (class C)
- Criminal use of explosives (class C)
- Criminal attempt to cause a catastrophe (class B)
He is currently being held on $500,000 cash bail.
Given the nature of the charges and the evidence recovered, the Maine Fire Marshal’s Office has assumed the role of primary investigative agency, working in close coordination with the Maine State Police, the Federal Bureau of Investigation and York County District Attorney’s Office.
At this time, there is no ongoing threat to the University of New England community. This matter remains under active investigation. No further details are being released at this point.
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.
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