Police updates for Bar Harbor, Mount Desert, Southwest Harbor, Tremont, State Police and Hancock County Sheriff’s Department.
Dec 09, 2025
The Bar Harbor Story is generously sponsored by Havana.
BAR HARBOR—An early morning structure fire at 165 Indian Point Road, Bar Harbor, caused damage to a residence that is owned by Allison and Stephen Sullens, whose foundation, The Harper House Music Foundation, took over control of the Criterion Theatre early this year.
According to Bar Harbor Fire Chief Matt Bartlett, the house was unoccupied and the cause of the fire appears to be an “accidental electrical malfunction with no human element.”
Chief Bartlett said that the damage to the house was moderate. Most fire-related damage was caused by the fire itself, fire fighting needs such as ripping open walls, and water damage. This was contained to the center portion of the house and some of the exterior. However, the majority of the residence will probably suffer from smoke damage.
The house has a monitored fire detection system, so despite the approximately mile-long driveway and frigid temperatures, the early detection and notification aided the fire departments in preventing more substantial damage to the property, according to Chief Bartlett.
The alarm was called in at approximately 2:27 a.m. According to Chief Bartlett, the caretaker for the property arrived first and could see flames around the eaves of the building. The caretaker notified the fire department, whose apparatus was just getting onto Indian Point Road and a second alarm was put out.
A second alarm in this district triggers Trenton Volunteer Fire Department, Tremont Volunteer Fire Department, Mount Desert Fire Department, and Ellsworth Fire Department, all of whom responded to assist Bar Harbor.
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, December 2, 2025
Officer Liam Harrington assisted the Southwest Harbor Police Department with a criminal investigation.
Officer Harrington performed a requested well-being check on a Bar Harbor resident and learned the subject of the check was out of town.
Officer Ted Cake discovered an unoccupied vehicle parked along the side of Eagle Lake Road in Bar Harbor during a snowstorm. After not being able to contact the vehicle’s owner, Officer T. Cake checked on the vehicle a short time later and found that it was gone.
Officer T. Cake investigated a report of threatening in Mount Desert. No charges were filed.
Officer Judson Cake responded to a report of a vehicle stuck in the roadway in Bar Harbor due to snowy conditions and upon his arrival found that an Acadia National Park ranger was assisting the stuck vehicle and it was getting underway.
Sgt. Doug Brundrett performed a well-being check on a Bar Harbor resident and found them to be fine.
Officer Harrington assisted a Mount Desert resident who was experiencing a crisis.
Officer Justin Burnett spoke with a Bar Harbor resident about a possible protection order violation and determined that no violation had occurred.
Officer Kaleb Payson spoke with someone in Mount Desert at the request of the person who was experiencing some mental health issues.
Wednesday, December 3, 2025
Officer Amie Torrey responded to a trespassing complaint in Mount Desert and issued a man a no trespassing warning.
Ganesh Reddy, 55, of Bar Harbor was arrested on an active arrest warrant by Officer Caleb Mora in Bar Harbor.
Thursday, December 4, 2025
Officer Mora conducted a probation/bail check on a person who was in a vehicle that he stopped in Seal Harbor. The person was in compliance with their conditions.
Officer Torrey is investigating a report of theft from a Bar Harbor business.
After receiving a request to check on an intoxicated person in Bar Harbor, Officer Torrey could not locate the person.
Officer J. Cake assisted someone in Bar Harbor who was having trouble starting their car due to the cold weather.
Friday, December 5, 2025
After receiving a motor vehicle complaint in Bar Harbor, Officer J. Cake located the vehicle, stopped it, and warned the driver for their “dangerous and aggressive driving.”
After receiving a noise complaint in Bar Harbor, Officer T. Cake patrolled the area and determined that the complaint was unfounded.
Officer Harrington is investigating a report of a vehicle passing a stopped school bus in Bar Harbor.
Officer Harrington participated in a school career fair in Mount Desert.
Officer T. Cake assisted another agency in Bar Harbor.
Officer Kaleb Payson performed a requested well-being check on someone in Bar Harbor and found the person to be all set.
Officer Payson responded to a barking dog complaint in Bar Harbor and found the complaint to be unsubstantiated after he could not locate any barking dogs.
Saturday, December 6, 2025
Sgt. Chris Dickens is investigating a series of threatening phone calls that were received by the Bar Harbor police dispatch.
Officer T. Cake assisted with the Frosty 5K race in Northeast Harbor.
Someone in Mount Desert reported a harassment issue to Officer T. Cake and wanted the complaint on file.
Officer Harrington responded to a complaint of “ding-dong ditch” in Bar Harbor, located the children involved, and asked them to cease their activity, which they agreed to do.
Officer Harrington took a report of suspicious activity at a Mount Desert business.
Sgt. Jerrod Hardy received a noise complaint in the area of Schooner Head Road in Bar Harbor, located the source of the noise, and made the property manager aware of the issue. The property manager addressed the noise.
Sunday, December 7, 2025
Sgt. Brundrett and Officer T. Cake performed a requested well-being check on someone in downtown Bar Harbor and found the person to be fine.
Officer Payson assisted someone in Mount Desert.
Monday, December 8, 2025
Officer Payson responded to a parking complaint in Mount Desert and had the vehicle owner move the offending vehicle.
Officer Payson responded to a parking complaint in Mount Desert but could not contact the vehicle owner so the offending vehicle was not moved.
Officer Torrey assisted the MDI Hospital with getting paperwork signed.
Officer Torrey with a Mount Desert resident regarding family issues.
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, December 1, 2025
Officer Bradley Russell took a report of fraud from a Southwest Harbor resident.
Someone reported a street sign missing in Southwest Harbor.
Michael Mansolilli, 40, of Southwest Harbor, was driving a 2019 Ford F350 south on Main Street in Southwest Harbor when a nine-year-old juvenile boy “darted into traffic in an attempt to cross the road not near a crosswalk” and was struck by Mansolilli’s truck. The boy was seriously injured and transported to MDI Hospital. The truck was not damaged nor was Mansolilli injured.
Officer Kristen Roulet responded to a possible assault complaint in Southwest Harbor.
Tuesday, December 2, 2025
Officer Rick Graham responded to a complaint of vehicles off the road due to slippery road conditions on Long Hill in Southwest Harbor but upon arrival, Officer Graham found no cars off the road.
Officer Graham delivered a bucket of sand to a Tremont resident for the Sand for Seniors program.
Officer Graham delivered a bucket of sand to a Southwest Harbor resident for the Sand for Seniors program.
After receiving a residential burglar alarm from a Tremont residence, Officer Graham responded but his response was canceled prior to his arrival.
Wednesday, December 3, 2025
Officer Graham assisted the ambulance service with a medical call in Southwest Harbor.
Officer Graham responded to an alarm at a Southwest Harbor business and found that it was triggered by a delivery person.
Sgt. Ryan Blakeney received a report regarding a vehicle that was reported to be speeding and driving erratically in Southwest Harbor but could not locate the vehicle.
Sgt. Blakeney investigated a report of suspicious activity in Tremont.
Thursday, December 4, 2025
After receiving a complaint regarding possible trespassing at a Southwest Harbor property, Officer James Kamorski advised the property owner that the police department would do more patrols in the area of the property.
Friday, December 5, 2025
Officer Russell performed a traffic detail at the Pemetic School in Southwest Harbor.
Officer Roulet conducted directed patrol in the area of the Tremont Consolidated School in Tremont due to complaints of speeders.
Officer Russell performed a well-being check in Southwest Harbor on a member of the Good Morning Program found them to be okay.
Officer Russell spoke with a Southwest Harbor resident about trespassing issues and putting up proper “no trespassing” signage.
Officer Russell assisted a Southwest Harbor resident with getting back into their residence.
Saturday, December 6, 2025
Officer Russell responded to a business alarm in Southwest Harbor and determined that it was a false alarm.
Officer Graham conducted a directed patrol in Tremont due to speeding vehicle complaints.
A Bar Harbor resident reported a speeding vehicle heading towards Southwest Harbor from Town Hill but Officer Graham never observed the suspect vehicle entering Southwest Harbor.
Sunday, December 7, 2025
While on patrol in Tremont, Officer Graham noticed a vehicle at a residence with its door open at 1 a.m. Officer Graham contacted the vehicle owner who checked the vehicle and found nothing missing and determined that the door must have been left open accidentally.
Officer Kamorski assisted the ambulance service in Southwest Harbor.
Officer Kamorski responded to a domestic issue in Southwest Harbor and after investigation, gave everyone involved a warning for disorderly conduct.
CAR/DEER CRASHES
Due to time constraints, we do not write about car/deer crashes or minor vehicle crashes such as parking lot or parked vehicle/moving vehicle collisions. We do realize that many readers are interested in car/deer collisions, so we will be listing them by town and roadway here.
BAR HARBOR — (1) Route 3
MOUNT DESERT — None reported.
SOUTHWEST HARBOR — (1) No location given
TREMONT — None reported.
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 Investigating Fatal Fire in Cambridge
CAMBRIDGE—The Maine State Fire Marshal’s Office is investigating a fatal fire that occurred at 133 Andrew Ham Road in Cambridge. Fire investigators responded at approximately 5:10 p.m., on Monday, December 1, 2025, at the request of the Cambridge Fire Department.
During initial fire suppression efforts, fire crews located a deceased individual inside the home. The victim is believed to be homeowner, 75-year-old Stuart Howe. The Office of Chief Medical Examiner in Augusta will perform an autopsy and confirm positive identification.
Responding fire departments including Cambridge, Sangerville, and Harmony. They battled cold weather and slippery conditions to extinguish the fire. An excavator was brought to the scene to aid in suppression efforts. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
Maine Drug Enforcement Arrests Three For Aggravated Trafficking in Auburn
AUBURN—In December of 2024, agents from the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency received information regarding a drug trafficking organization. Along with community tips and intelligence received from MDEA’s local law enforcement partners, an extensive investigation began and ultimately resulted in the identification of the main trafficking location in Auburn.
On December 1, 2025, a search warrant was sought and granted for the apartment of Brianna Reny, 26, of Auburn, located at 257 Turner St. (1R) in Auburn. While surveillance was being conducted at the residence, agents identified a vehicle connected to this organization leaving the address and a traffic stop was initiated.
William Tardiff, 57, of New Gloucester, was the operator and was found to be in possession of 179 grams of suspected cocaine. Tardiff was arrested, charged with aggravated trafficking in scheduled “W” drugs, and is currently being held at the Androscoggin County Jail. He is being held on $10,000 cash bail pending an initial appearance.
At approximately 6:30 p.m., the Maine State Police Tactical Team executed the search warrant on the residence. Akil Charles, 31, of Brockton, Massachusetts, was captured while fleeing out a window and Brianna Reny was detained without incident.
A search of the apartment resulted in the seizure of 1244 grams of cocaine, 540 grams of fentanyl, 53 grams of methamphetamine, as well as other items indicative of drug trafficking. Approximately $18,200 in suspected drug proceeds were located alongside the drugs. The estimated street value of the seized drugs is $75,000.00.
Reny was charged with aggravated trafficking in scheduled “W” drugs and trafficking in scheduled “W” drugs. Reny is currently at the Androscoggin County Jail being held on $10,000 cash bail pending an initial appearance.
Charles was charged with aggravated trafficking in scheduled “W” drugs and trafficking in scheduled “W” drugs. Charles is currently at the Androscoggin County Jail being held without bail as he was out on bail for Robbery.
This investigation continues and additional arrests are expected.
Maine State Police, Auburn PD, Lisbon PD, Lewiston PD, and the Androscoggin County Sheriff’s Office also assisted in the service of the search warrant and year-long investigation.
All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Maine State Police Introduces Cold Case Deck of Cards to Generate New Leads in Unsolved Homicides
MAINE—The Maine State Police Major Crimes Unit–Unsolved has launched a new initiative aimed at generating investigative leads in long-standing cases through the creation of a Cold Case Deck of Cards. The deck features 52 of Maine State Police’s unsolved homicides and suspicious missing person cases and will be distributed to inmates in correctional facilities across the state.
Maine State Police currently have 69 unsolved homicides and 38 long-term suspicious missing person cases, with investigations dating back several decades.
While cold case cards have been used in other states for nearly two decades, this marks the first time the concept has been implemented in Maine. Similar initiatives in more than two dozen states have been credited with helping solve multiple homicide investigations.
The project was funded through a grant from Season of Justice, a nonprofit organization that provides financial support for cold case investigations. After receiving the grant, the Major Crimes Unit–Unsolved undertook the extensive process of selecting cases from across the state. The team then worked with Priority Marketing in Fort Myers, Florida, to design and customize each card.
Cases were chosen based on investigative necessity and potential for public assistance. This initial deck represents a portion of Maine’s unsolved cases, and additional decks will be created in the future to highlight others.
The cards will be distributed within correctional facilities through a partnership with the Maine Department of Corrections. Similar programs in other states have shown that incarcerated individuals may have knowledge, associations, or historical information relevant to open investigations.
“Our goal is to introduce these cards to the inmate population with the hope that they will produce actionable information leading to arrests and help bring missing people home to their families,” said Detective Corporal Michael Chavez, who helped create and implement the program. Chavez partnered with the Maine Department of Corrections to distribute the cards and manage any incoming intelligence.
Maine Department of Corrections Commissioner Randall Liberty expressed support for the collaboration.
“We are pleased to work with the Maine State Police on this important initiative,” Liberty said. “Cold case playing cards are one of many tools that may assist investigators in their ongoing efforts to solve Maine’s unsolved cases. These cards will help keep victims’ stories alive, and we hope they generate information that leads to prosecution.”
For more information about this initiative, please contact:
Detective Corporal Michael Chavez
207-624-7076 ext. 9
Fire Marshal’s Office Investigating Fatal Fire in Sumner
SUMNER—On Wednesday, December 3, 2025, at approximately 5:00 p.m., the Sumner Fire Department was dispatched to a reported structure fire at a residence on Valley Road in Sumner. The fire was reported by an individual who saw the fire from a distance and called 911. Responding crews experienced significant challenges accessing the residence due to its off-grid location and a roughly one-mile approach requiring the use of all-terrain vehicles and 4×4 pickup trucks.
Upon arrival, firefighters discovered a deceased adult male outside of the structure. The residence, which was powered solely by propane and solar energy, was found to be a total loss.
Due to the circumstances and the fatality involved, the Sumner Fire Department requested assistance from the Maine State Fire Marshal’s Office to conduct an origin and cause investigation. That investigation remains active and ongoing.
The Maine State Fire Marshal’s Office is working closely with the Office of Chief Medical Examiner in Augusta to positively identify the deceased individual.
Maine Drug Enforcement Arrests Five in Livermore Falls
LIVERMORE FALLS—For the past several months, agents from the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency Western District Task Force received information regarding a drug trafficking organization in the Livermore Falls area. Along with community tips and intelligence gathered from MDEA’s local law enforcement partners, an investigation began and resulted in the identification of the main trafficking location in Livermore Falls.
On Thursday, December 4, 2025, A search warrant was granted for 8 Monroe St. in Livermore Falls. A vehicle connected to this residence was stopped and agents located 102 grams of suspected cocaine inside. Tanya Hill, 38, of Livermore Falls, and Tajuan Washington, 18, of New York, New York, were arrested for trafficking in scheduled “W” drugs. Both Hill and Washington are being held at the Androscoggin County Jail on $10,000 cash bail.
At approximately 3:45 pm on Thursday, MDEA agents and members of the Maine State Police Tactical Team executed the search warrant on the residence.
A search of the apartment resulted in the seizure of 64 grams of cocaine, 143 grams of cocaine base (crack), and a handgun. The estimated street value of drugs seized is $12,000.
Messiah Jones, 21, of New York, New York, was charged with aggravated trafficking in scheduled “W” drugs. Jones is currently at the Androscoggin County Jail and is being held on $10,000.00 cash bail after making his initial appearance in court.
Tyquan Commsisso, 27, of New York, New York, was charged with possession of a firearm by a prohibited person. Commsisso is currently at the Androscoggin County Jail being held on $15,000 cash bail.
Tammie Stone, 46, of Livermore Falls, was being held at the Androscoggin County Jail on several arrest warrants.
This investigation will continue, and additional arrests are expected.
Maine State Police, Androscoggin County Sheriff’s Office, Livermore Falls PD, Jay PD, and the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office also assisted in the service of the search warrant and investigation.
All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Structure Fire Destroys Two Buildings on Main Street in Van Buren
VAN BUREN—On Saturday, December 6, 2025, at approximately 11:23 p.m., the Van Buren Fire Department responded to a reported structure fire at 58 Main Street. The owner of 58 Main Street discovered the fire after hearing crackling sounds and discovering a fire involving his pellet stove. The owner attempted to extinguish the fire using a fire extinguisher; however, the fire continued to spread.
Upon arrival, fire crews encountered heavy fire conditions. Due to the proximity of neighboring structures and the risk of further spread, the department utilized an excavator to perform an emergency demolition of the building while firefighting operations continued. The fire resulted in the complete loss of 58 Main Street and the adjacent structure at 56 Main Street. 56 Main Street was an unoccupied building.
One firefighter sustained injuries after slipping on ice during the response. The owner of 58 Main Street sustained smoke inhalation. Both the firefighter and owner of 58 Main Street were transported to Cary Medical Center in Caribou. The cause of the fire is under investigation however, the cause likely involves the pellet stove.
Maine State Police Investigating Fatal Crash on Turnpike in York
YORK—On Monday, December 8, 2025, at approximately 3:14 p.m., Troop G Troopers responded to a fatal crash on the Maine Turnpike at Mile 5 southbound in York. The preliminary investigation indicates a 2022 Western Star tractor-trailer was stopped with a mechanical malfunction in the breakdown lane. The operator of the tractor-trailer had placed reflective warning triangles in the breakdown lane as required.
While the tractor trailer was stopped, a 2014 Toyota sedan, operated by 81-year-old Janice Goldsmith of Needham, Massachusetts, struck the rear of the tractor-trailer. Goldsmith was pronounced deceased at the scene.
The cause of the crash remains under investigation. Traffic on the southbound side of the Turnpike was reduced to one lane for approximately three hours while troopers and first responders worked the scene and then limited to two lanes for an additional two hours. Maine State Police would like to thank all assisting agencies for their support and response.
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.
A NOTE FROM US
This is Carrie and Shaun, and as you’ve probably noticed, we’ve been working hard at the Bar Harbor Story, providing local news in a way that keeps you informed, but also embraces and promotes community and the good that is within it.
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