Police updates for Bar Harbor, Mount Desert, Southwest Harbor, Tremont, State Police and Hancock County Sheriff’s Department.
Dec 30, 2025
The Bar Harbor Story is generously sponsored by Paradis Ace Hardware.
BAR HARBOR—On December 27, at approximately 8 p.m., Amira Chionesu-Hakim, 37, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, apparently failed to stop at the stop sign at the intersection of Ledgelawn Avenue and Mount Desert Street in Bar Harbor and drove into and on top of the hedge and chainlink fence at the Thornhedge Inn.
According to Officer Kevin Edgecomb, Chionesu-Hakim, while not intoxicated, was disoriented and could not tell officers for sure that was what happened, but it is what the circumstances indicate.
Chionesu-Hakim was driving a 2026 Dodge Ram 1500 which sustained minor damage to the front bumper. There was no reported personal injury and the truck was towed from the crash scene by DC Towing according to the department’s press release.
Following the crash investigation, Chionesu-Hakim was charged with operating without a license, driving to endanger, failure to maintain control of a motor vehicle, failure to wear a seatbelt, and leaving the travel lane in an unsafe manner.
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.
Monday, December 22, 2025
After receiving a parking complaint on Cooksey Drive in Seal Harbor, Officer Amie Torrey contacted the owners of the vehicles and had the vehicles moved.
Officer Virginia Helton spoke with a Bar Harbor resident about some harassment occurring between neighbors.
Sgt. Jerrod Hardy served a Bar Harbor resident with a cease harassment notice on behalf of the Maine State Police.
Officer Helton assisted the Maine State Police with attempting to locate a man in Bar Harbor for a well-being check.
At the request of the Ellsworth Police Department, Officer Nathan Formby transported someone from Trenton to Bar Harbor.
Tuesday, December 23, 2025
After receiving a motor vehicle complaint in Bar Harbor, Officer Helton located the vehicle and warned the driver for their driving behavior.
Sgt. Doug Brundrett spoke with someone in Bar Harbor about ongoing family issues.
Following a traffic stop in Bar Harbor, Officer Helton summoned Edward Kinsey, 62, of Hall Quarry, for attaching false plates, failure to register a motor vehicle, and a false validation device.
Officer Torrey issued a deer tag to a Bar Harbor resident.
Wednesday, December 24, 2025
Officer Formby assisted a motorist in Bar Harbor who was stuck due to weather conditions.
Officer Formby assisted a motorist in Bar Harbor who was stuck due to weather conditions at the intersection of Eagle Lake Road and Young’s Mountain Road.
Officer Liam Harrington responded to a noise complaint at a Bar Harbor apartment complex and found it to be unfounded.
Officer Harrington took a report of and documented property damage in Bar Harbor.
After receiving a report of a vehicle off the road on Norris Avenue in Bar Harbor, Officer Harrington responded and found that the vehicle was undamaged.
Thursday, December 25, 2025
After not being able to make contact with the owner of a vehicle that was parked on a public way in Bar Harbor during a snowstorm, Officer Ted Cake had the vehicle towed.
Officers responded to a report of someone threatening suicide in Bar Harbor but found the person to be all set.
Friday, December 26, 2025
Officer Torrey received a parking compliant at a construction site on Cooksey Drive in Seal Harbor, responded, and had the offending vehicles moved.
Officer Helton performed a well-being check on a Good Morning Program participant in Bar Harbor and found them to be okay.
Officer Torrey received a parking complaint from the Mount Desert Highway Department.
Sgt. Chris Dickens tried to jump-start someone’s car in Bar Harbor, but the car would not start.
Officer Helton responded to an alarm in Bar Harbor, met with the caretaker, and determined that there were no issues.
Saturday, December 27, 2025
Officer Formby gave an intoxicated person a ride to their residence in Bar Harbor.
Officer Torrey spoke with a man in Mount Desert about a civil issue.
Following a complaint about a vehicle being operated in an erratic manner on Route 3 in Bar Harbor and a subsequent traffic stop, Sgt. Dickens arrested Jennifer Sanders, 40, of Bar Harbor, for operating under the influence.
Sunday, December 28, 2025
Officer Nathan Formby investigated a suspicious vehicle in Bar Harbor and summoned a juvenile for illegal transportation of liquor by a minor.
Officer Helton responded to a motor vehicle complaint in Bar Harbor, stopped the vehicle, and warned the driver for their driving behavior.
Following a traffic stop in Bar Harbor, Officer Elias Burne seized a useable amount of marijuana from the vehicle.
Sgt. Dickens is reviewing a theft report made by a Bar Harbor business owner.
Monday, December 29, 2025
Officer Formby assisted the Hancock County Sheriff’s Office in Trenton with a family fight complaint.
After receiving a report of a transformer blowing up and power going out in Bar Harbor, Officer Judson Cake searched the area to check for fires and notified the power company.
Sgt. Brundrett responded to a report of a box truck that was stuck on the hill near the Cadillac Mountain entrance to Acadia National Park on Eagle Lake Road in Bar Harbor, but the truck was gone when he arrived.
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 22, 2025
Officer Bradley Russell performed a security check on a Southwest Harbor residence and found everything to be fine.
Officer Russell spoke with someone in Southwest Harbor about some issues they were having with family.
Tuesday, December 23, 2025
Following a response to a medical call in Tremont by Officer Rick Graham, the Southwest Harbor Police Department assisted the Maine State Police with a death investigation.
Chief John Hall investigated an ATM alarm at a Southwest Harbor ATM and found that the alarm was set off by an employee.
While on routine patrol, Officer Graham located an open door on a Southwest Harbor business, contacted the owner, and secured the door.
Wednesday, December 24, 2025
Officer Russell responded to the area of an abandoned 911 call in Tremont and could not locate anything out of the ordinary after searching.
Officer Russell is investigating a reported theft in Southwest Harbor.
Officer Russell performed a requested property check in Tremont and found everything to be okay.
Thursday, December 25, 2025
Officer James Kamorski assisted the ambulance service with a medical call in Tremont.
Officer Kamorski assisted the ambulance service with a medical call in Tremont.
Officer Kamorski performed a requested well-being check on someone in Southwest Harbor and found them to be okay.
Friday, December 26, 2025
Officer Kristen Roulet responded to a chimney fire in Southwest Harbor but her assistance was not needed.
Following the proper chain of command and procedures, Officer Roulet retrieved some items from a Tremont residence for safekeeping.
Saturday, December 27, 2025
Officer Graham helped the ambulance service with a lift assist in Southwest Harbor.
After receiving a report of a dog running loose on the Seawall Road in Southwest Harbor, Officer Graham responded and notified the dog’s owner who was able to retrieve the dog.
Prior to beginning an investigation into a Southwest Harbor resident and three children being reported as missing, the reporting party called back and informed Officer Graham that everyone had been located and were safe.
Officer Graham assisted the ambulance service with a medical call in Southwest Harbor.
Officer Graham assisted the Southwest Harbor Fire Department with lifting a Southwest Harbor resident who had fallen and could not get back up but was uninjured.
Sunday, December 28, 2025
Officer Kamorski helped a Southwest Harbor resident get back into their apartment after they had locked themself out.
Officer Kamorski assisted the ambulance service with a medical call in Southwest Harbor.
Officer Kamorski helped a Southwest Harbor resident get back into their apartment after they had locked themself out.
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 — None reported.
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.
Two People Arrested in Connection With Fire in Augusta
AUGUSTA—Investigators with the Office of State Fire Marshal have arrested 27-year-old Samuel Howard, of Pittston, and 32-year-old Trevor Shorette, of Augusta, in connection to a house fire in Augusta on November 15, 2025.
On November 15, 2025, at 5:16 a.m., the Augusta Police Department Dispatch received a 911 call about a house fire at 16 Lilac Lane in Augusta. The Augusta Fire department, along with the Augusta Police Department responded to the scene. The home was occupied by several residents at the time of the fire, who were awoken by a neighbor. As a result, the fire was quickly extinguished, and no one was injured. Due to the circumstances presented on scene, officers with the Augusta Police requested the Fire Marshal’s Office for assistance. Investigators immediately responded and processed the scene. Investigators determined the fire was intentionally set.
On November 18, 2025, Investigators arrested Samuel Howard and charged him with arson (class A) and violating conditions of release (class E). At the time of the offense, Howard was on five sets of bail conditions. He is currently being held at the Kennebec County Jail on $10,000 cash bail.
Through continued investigation, investigators requested an arrest warrant be issued for Trevor Shorette for his involvement.
On December 23, 2025, Investigators arrested Shorette on the warrant charging him with arson (class A) and violating conditions of release (class E). At the time of the offense, Shorette was on two sets of bail conditions. He is currently being held at the Kennebec County Jail on $10,000 cash bail.
The investigation is ongoing and anyone with information is asked to contact the State Fire Marshal’s Office by phone or through the Arson Tip Line at 1-800-870-6162.
Fire Marshal’s Office Investigating Fire in Brunswick
BRUNSWICK—On Thursday, December 25, 2025, just after 3:00 p.m., the Brunswick Fire Department was dispatched to 36 Bridge Road for a reported structure fire. Upon arrival, crews observed heavy smoke coming from the roof area and the rear eaves of the residence. Firefighters made entry into the structure and located fire on the second floor, with the heaviest fire involvement found in the ceiling area above an industrial-style fan. Crews were able to quickly extinguish the fire, preventing extensive damage to the residence. The Brunswick Fire Department requested assistance from the State Fire Marshal’s Office.
Fire investigators responded to the scene and met with the homeowner and her son. It was reported that the area had experienced a power outage for several hours and the residence were operating on a portable generator. After the generator shut down, the homeowner’s son restarted it, at which point heavy smoke was observed coming from the eaves. The generator was immediately shut off and unplugged. Upon entering the residence, the son called 911 and then encountered heavy smoke descending the stairway. He safely evacuated his mother and all animals from the home.
Fire investigators determined the fire originated in the attic area. The cause is believed to be an electrical malfunction involving the fan unit, likely associated with a power surge when the generator was restarted. The heaviest fire damage was located in the attic, with fire debris falling into the second-floor area below. No injuries were reported.
Fire Marshal’s Office Investigating Fire in Pittsfield
PITTSFIELD—The Pittsfield Fire Department responded to a residential fire at 693 Canaan Road early in the morning on December 26, 2025, in the Town of Pittsfield. Upon arrival, firefighters found the home heavily involved in fire. The Pittsfield Fire Department requested assistance from the Office of the State Fire Marshal to determine the origin and cause of the fire.
State Fire Investigators determined the fire originated in the ceiling area of the kitchen. Based on the information currently available, the fire is not considered suspicious. Fire investigators must complete additional interviews before making a final determination regarding the cause of the fire.
During the investigation, fire investigators located two deceased dogs in the fire debris. The home was unoccupied at the time of the fire. A neighbor had been attending to the dogs on a daily basis.
The investigation remains ongoing. Additional information will be released as it becomes available.
Fire Marshal’s Office Investigating Custom House Wharf Fire in Portland
PORTLAND—The Maine State Fire Marshal’s Office, in coordination with the Portland Fire Department, is continuing to investigate a fire that occurred Friday evening, December 26, 2025, at 25 and 27 Custom House Wharf in Portland. The fire caused significant damage to several portions of the attached buildings, including storage and maintenance spaces used by multiple fishermen, lobstermen’s trap repair shops, and businesses such as Nanuq Kayak and Maritime Antique. The Sea Bag Factory Store was also impacted; the full extent of damage has not yet been determined. No injuries were reported.
Harbor Fish did not sustain any fire damage; the store was just impacted by the fire investigation and has reopened.
Investigators from the State Fire Marshal’s Office and the Portland Fire Department returned to the scene today, Saturday, December 27, 2025, to conduct witness and occupant interviews and collect video evidence. Officials have determined there is no indication of foul play. Due to the extent of the fire damage, it is unlikely that an exact cause will be identified. The investigation remains ongoing, and officials will continue gathering video and additional information throughout the weekend.
Maine State Police Investigating Death in Corinth
CORINTH—On Saturday, December 27, 2025, at approximately 8:28 a.m., the Penobscot County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of a shooting at a residence located at 344 Main Street in Corinth. Upon arrival, deputies located 41-year-old Abigail Thomas, of Corinth, deceased from an apparent gunshot wound.
The Penobscot County Sheriff’s Office requested assistance from the Maine State Police Major Crimes Unit North, along with members of the Maine State Police Evidence Response Team.
The deceased was transported to the Office of Chief Medical Examiner in Augusta where an autopsy will be performed.
The preliminary investigation has determined that Thomas had been involved in an altercation with her son, 22-year-old Daniel Derosier, who also resided at the home. As a result of the investigation, Derosier was taken into custody and charged with Murder. He was transported to the Penobscot County Jail.
Corinth Fire/Rescue assisted at the scene. This investigation remains ongoing. No further information is being released at this time.
Maine State Police Investigating Child Death in Penobscot County
MILFORD—The Maine State Police is investigating the death of a one-year-old child who was found unresponsive on Sunday, December 28, 2025, at a residence in the town of Milford.
Pursuant to state statue, the Maine State Police investigate all deaths involving children under the age of three. There is no danger to the public. This remains an active investigation no additional information is being released at this time.
Fire Marshal’s Office Investigates Structure Fire in Presque Isle
PRESQUE ISLE—On Saturday, December 27, 2025, the Presque Isle Fire Department responded to a residence located at 294 Conant Road in Presque Isle at approximately 3:39 a.m. Upon arrival, firefighters found a fire involving the garage.
Fire crews were able to extinguish the fire and successfully save the residence. The Presque Isle Fire Department requested assistance from the Office of the State Fire Marshal to determine the origin and cause of the fire. Fire investigators determined the fire to be accidental in nature and caused by an electrical failure within the garage. No injuries were reported as a result of the fire.
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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