Police updates for Bar Harbor, Mount Desert, Southwest Harbor, Tremont, State Police and Hancock County Sheriff’s Department.
Jan 13, 2026
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BAR HARBOR—On January 7, at approximately 7:17 p.m., the Bar Harbor Police Department received a call reporting a domestic incident at an apartment on Maple Avenue in Bar Harbor. Police officers requested an ambulance respond as well.
Following an investigation, Kirk Bethune Sr., 49, of Bar Harbor was arrested and charged with aggravated domestic violence assault and was transported to the Hancock County Jail. Officer Lukas Keene arrested Bethune.
According to Officer Kevin Edgecomb, the victim of the assault was Bethune’s son who suffered a small laceration to the arm.
Officer Edgecomb said that the laceration may have been caused accidentally, but the exact cause is not clear as of today’s date because the arresting officer’s report is not yet complete.
The victim was examined and medically cleared by the Bar Harbor Fire Department ambulance crew.
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, January 6, 2026
Sgt. Doug Brundrett responded to a reported noise disturbance at a Bar Harbor residence.
Someone reported a speeding vehicle in the school zone on Eden Street in Bar Harbor, but there were not any officers in a position to intercept the vehicle.
Officer Amie Torrey received a motor vehicle complaint regarding a vehicle that was heading off of the island and she was not in a position to intercept the vehicle.
Officer Nathan Formby received a report of loose dogs in the area of Loren Street in Bar Harbor but could not locate any loose dogs when he checked the area.
After Officer Formby performed a requested well-being check on someone in Bar Harbor, the person was transported to the hospital via ambulance.
Officer Zack Kline ticketed a vehicle in Mount Desert that was parked in violation of the winter parking ban.
Wednesday, January 7, 2026
Peter Nicholas, 65, of Southwest Harbor, was driving a 2008 Honda Pilot north on Main Street in Mount Desert when the vehicle slid off the road and into a ditch. There was no reported injury. The vehicle sustained minor damage to the undercarriage but was able to be driven from the scene after DC Towing pulled the vehicle from the ditch and back onto the road.
Sofie Dowling, 23, of Cranberry Isles, was driving a 2023 Toyota Corolla and attempting to make a left-hand turn from Hall Quarry Road onto Main Street in Mount Desert. Dowling did not see a 2023 Mercedes E450S4 that was being driven by Aleksandra Hanley, 19, of Mount Desert, who was heading north on Main Street and pulled out in front of her. Dowling attempted to avoid the crash by turning right but Hanley also attempted to avoid the crash and ended up striking Dowling. Dowling complained of pain and was checked by Mount Desert ambulance personnel but refused transport. Hanley was not injured. Both vehicles sustained substantial damage and were towed from the scene by Acadia Towing.
Jon D. Guidry, 51, of Bernard, was driving a 2023 Toyota Tacoma north on Indian Point Road in Bar Harbor when he lost control of the vehicle due to poor road conditions. The vehicle left the road, struck a utility pole, and came to rest on the driver’s side. The utility pole broke when struck and Guidry remained inside the vehicle until the power lines were de-energized. Once removed from the vehicle, Guidry reported shin bruising and neck pain. The truck suffered extensive damage and was towed from the scene by DC Towing.
Brendan Vurckio, 34, of Ellsworth, was driving a 2020 Toyota Tacoma east on the Millbrook Road in Bar Harbor when the vehicle slid off the road and struck a tree. There was no reported injury. The truck sustained disabling damage and was towed from the scene.
After receiving a report of loose dogs in Bar Harbor, Officer Kaleb Payson spoke with the owner of the dogs and made them aware of the complaint.
Officer Liam Harrington gave a resident of Bar Harbor a ride to MDI Hospital.
Thursday, January 8, 2026
Officer Justin Burnett performed a well-being check on a Mount Desert resident and found them to be fine.
Officer Harrington received a report of a person with a suspended driver’s license potentially attempting to drive in Bar Harbor, but all officers were busy with emergency calls at the time.
Someone called the Bar Harbor Police Department to pass along some information.
Kenneth Hopper, 42, of Trenton, was driving a 2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee south on Route 3 in Bar Harbor and was attempting to pass a vehicle in the passing lane and due to road conditions, entered into a skid. The Jeep crossed the opposing lane of traffic and entered a ditch, struck an embankment, and rolled over. Hopper sustained minor injuries and was transported by Bar Harbor ambulance to MDI Hospital for an evaluation. The Jeep suffered disabling damage and was towed from the scene by DC Towing. Hopper was later issued a criminal summons for operating after habitual offender revocation and also issued multiple civil traffic violation citations.
Officer Payson attempted to serve paperwork to someone in Mount Desert at the request of another agency but determined that the person no longer lives in the police department’s jurisdiction.
Officer Payson assisted someone in Mount Desert who was locked out of their residence.
Friday, January 9, 2026
A second report of a driver with a suspended driver’s license was made in Bar Harbor. This report was very delayed and no action was taken at the time. All officers are aware of the situation.
Officer Elias Burne issued someone in Bar Harbor a trespass warning for multiple Bar Harbor properties.
Officer Torrey stood by with a family in Mount Desert until a wrecker came to unlock the car. There was a child locked within the car but the child was fine once the door was unlocked.
Officer Torrey assisted the Mount Desert Highway Division with traffic control.
Officer Torrey spoke with a Mount Desert resident who was having problems and was able to calm the person down.
Robyn L. Ihmedan, 43, of Bar Harbor, was driving a 2023 Mazda west on Eagle Lake Road in Bar Harbor when the Mazda left the roadway to the right, struck a utility pole, and came to rest in the ditch. There was no reported injury. The Mazda suffered front end damage and was towed from the scene by DC Towing.
Officer Formby gave someone in Bar Harbor a ride home from the hospital.
Officer Formby received a report of a motorist with a broken-down vehicle in Bar Harbor, but the motorist received assistance from a member of the public prior to Officer Formby’s arrival.
Officer Virginia Helton performed a well-being check on someone in Bar Harbor and found them to be fine.
Officer Helton received a report of an injured deer in Bar Harbor but was unable to locate the deer.
Sgt. Chris Dickens spoke with a Bar Harbor resident about a harassment issue and is investigating the complaint.
Saturday, January 10, 2026
Officer Helton responded to an alarm call in Mount Desert and found that there were no issues.
Officer Caleb Mora attempted to stop a vehicle in Bar Harbor for not having a registration plate displayed. The vehicle fled and was located nearby a short time later, but the driver refused to exit the residence. Following further investigation, an arrest warrant was drafted but according to Officer Edgecomb, has not been executed yet because the officer has been on days off. It is unclear if the warrant has been approved by a judge yet.
Officer Mora responded to an injured deer complaint in Bar Harbor and dispatched the deer.
Sgt. Dickens attempted to locate someone in Mount Desert on behalf of another agency.
Officer Helton took a harassment complaint in Mount Desert.
Sunday, January 11, 2026
Officer Torrey responded to a Mount Desert residence for a report of someone in crisis. The person was transported to MDI Hospital for an evaluation.
Officer Torrey responded to a burglar alarm at a Mount Desert residence and found the residence to be secure.
Monday, January 12, 2026
Officer Helton performed a well-being check in Bar Harbor and found the person to be fine.
Someone reported some information to the Mount Desert Police Department.
Officer Payson performed a vehicle identification number verification in Bar Harbor for a local wrecker service.
Officer Kline performed a well-being check on a Mount Desert resident and found them to be fine.
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, January 5, 2026
Officer Bradley Russell conducted an unattended death investigation in Southwest Harbor and determined that there was nothing suspicious regarding the death.
After receiving a report of debris in a Southwest Harbor roadway that was making it hard to navigate, Officer Russell responded but could not locate any debris and found that traffic was flowing smoothly in the area of the complaint.
Officer Russell responded to a business alarm in Southwest Harbor and determined that it was a false alarm.
Officer Russell contacted a Southwest Harbor resident on behalf of another law enforcement agency.
Officer Kristen Roulet and the Southwest Harbor Fire Department responded to an alarm at 350 Main Street in Southwest Harbor and were able to shut the alarm off and contacted the owner of the building.
Tuesday, January 6, 2026
Officer Rick Graham provided traffic control in Southwest Harbor while Versant repaired some power lines.
Officer Graham checked on an alarm at a summer residence in Southwest Harbor, found the cottage to be fine, and left messages for the owner.
Claire E. Dow, no age given, of Southwest Harbor, was driving a 2009 BMW on the Tremont Road, in Tremont, when her vehicle slid off the road and struck some small trees. There were no reported injuries and the vehicle suffered dents along the passenger’s side. The vehicle was towed by Acadia Towing.
Wednesday, January 7, 2026
Officer Graham responded with the Tremont Fire Department to a fire alarm in Tremont but his assistance was not needed.
Officer Roulet performed a well-being check on a Good Morning Program member in Tremont and found that they were fine and at an appointment.
Officer Roulet took a report from a Tremont resident regarding a man who was on their property and acting suspicious.
After taking a complaint from a Southwest Harbor resident that part of the Long Hill Road was missing, Officer Roulet responded, but found the road to be intact and all accounted for.
Thursday, January 8, 2026
Officer James Kamorski took a report of a theft from a Southwest Harbor resident. The complainant did not want to press charges and only wanted the complaint on file.
Officer Kamorski assisted the ambulance service with a medical call in Southwest Harbor.
Officer Kamorski assisted the ambulance service with a medical call in Southwest Harbor but it turned out that the call was a false alarm.
Officer Kamorski responded to a motor vehicle complaint in Southwest Harbor but was not able to locate the suspect vehicle.
Officer Kamorski performed a well-being check on a Southwest Harbor resident and found them to be okay.
Officer Kamorski assisted a Department of Health and Human Services caseworker with a home visit in Southwest Harbor.
Friday, January 9, 2026
Officer Russell responded to a security alarm at a Southwest Harbor building and found the building secure with nothing seeming out of the ordinary.
Someone brought two dogs to the Southwest Harbor Police Department that had been found running in a Tremont roadway. Officer Russell contacted the owner of the dogs who came and got them.
Officer Russell took a bucket of sand to a Southwest Harbor resident under the Sand for Seniors program.
After receiving a traffic complaint in Southwest Harbor, Officer Russell located the suspect vehicle, observed a traffic violation, and then spoke with the operator.
Officer Russell performed winter security checks on seasonal homes in Southwest Harbor.
Saturday, January 10, 2026
Wyatt Lawson, no age given, of Bernard, was driving a 2002 Chevy Silverado west on the Tremont Road, in Tremont, when the truck hit a patch of black ice, spun 180 degrees, and left the roadway, striking some trees. Lawson suffered a leg injury and had to be extricated from his truck. The truck suffered severe damage to the driver’s side and was towed from the scene by DC Towing.
Officer Graham performed a well-being check on a Southwest Harbor resident who was found to be okay but requested a ride to the hospital which was provided.
Officer Graham served paperwork to a Southwest Harbor resident on behalf of the Bar Harbor Police Department.
Officer Graham assisted a Tremont resident who had locked their keys in their car on Main Street in Southwest Harbor.
Officer Graham responded to a report of a broken-down vehicle on Carrol’s Hill in Southwest Harbor and upon arrival found that the car had run out of gas and the owner had left to get more fuel. Officer Graham stayed at the site and allowed the passenger to sit in his police vehicle to stay warm until the owner returned with more gas.
While in Tremont on a separate matter, Officer Graham found a piece of equipment that had fallen off a truck owned by a local company and was able to get the piece of equipment back to the owner.
Sunday, January 11, 2026
Officer Kamorski received a report of a family dispute in Tremont, responded, and was able to resolve the matter.
Officer Kamorski assisted the Ellsworth Police Department by looking for a juvenile runaway in Tremont and Southwest Harbor.
Officer Kamorski assisted the ambulance service in Tremont.
After receiving a trespassing complaint in Southwest Harbor, Officer Kamorski spoke with the complainant and resolved the issue.
Officer Roulet handled a complaint of a vehicle parked the wrong way near the hardware store in Southwest Harbor but could not locate any vehicles facing the wrong way.
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 — None reported.
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.
Troop F Troopers Investigating Masardis Crash Involving Tractor Trailer
MASARDIS—On January 5, 2026, at approximately 9:02 a.m., the Maine State Police responded to a report of a tractor-trailer truck on Route 11 in Masardis that was stuck in the power lines. Troopers investigating the scene determined that the driver had just received a load of wood from the mill in Masardis and attempted to cross an intersection at the mill with an overfilled load. This caused the boom on the vehicle and the load on the trailer to get stuck in the power lines.
The incident blocked the northbound lane of travel on Route 11 for multiple hours. Troopers were assisted by various departments to include the Ashland Fire Department, Masardis Fire Department, The Maine Forest Service, Ashland EMS, and Versant Power.
Troop F Troopers Investigating Nashville Plantation Crash Involving Tractor Trailer
NASHVILLE PLANTATION—On Monday, January 5, 2025, at approximately 9:36 a.m., Maine State Police received a report of a vehicle off the roadway on Portage Road in Nashville Plantation. At the time of the crash the roadway was icy, a contributing factor which caused the vehicle, a 2007 Kia Spectra to slide off the roadway and strike a guard rail. A Maine Forest Service Ranger was in the area and responded to the location to provide traffic control while troopers were responding to the scene. As a wrecker was attempting to retrieve the Kia, the forest ranger was attempting to shut down the roadway to the north of the crash scene using emergency lighting in his patrol vehicle.
At this time, a 2016 Western Star, configured as a log truck with a loaded trailer, rounded a blind corner near the crash scene. The tractor trailer attempted to brake but began sliding due to icy roadway conditions. The vehicle began to jackknife and struck the rear of the Maine Forest Service vehicle. The forest ranger was out of the vehicle at the time, but the driver of the Kia was in the Maine Forest Service vehicle at the time of the crash. He was transported from the scene to the hospital by Ashland Ambulance Service for minor injuries.
The Kia and Maine Forest Service patrol vehicle were towed from the scene due to disabling damage. The forest ranger and driver of the tractor trailer were not injured in the crash. The Ashland Fire Department responded to the crash and provided traffic control while the crash was investigated by members of the Maine State Police.
Troopers were assisted at the scene by the Maine Forest Service, Maine State Police Commercial Vehicle Unit (Troop K), Ashland Ambulance Service, and Ashland Fire Department. The investigation is ongoing.
Troop F Troopers Investigating Patten Crash Involving Tractor Trailer
PATTEN—On Monday, January 5, 2026, shortly after 12:00 p.m., the Maine State Police responded to a report of a tractor-trailer truck off the road near the intersection of Route 11, and Winding Hill Road in Patten. The vehicle had taken out three utility poles and power lines were across both lanes of travel. Troopers determined the driver lost control of the vehicle due to icy road conditions The incident blocked off both lanes of travel on Route 11 for several hours.
Maine State Police Investigating Tractor Trailer Crash in Clinton
CLINTON—On Thursday, January 8, 2026, at approximately 3:49 a.m., the Bangor Regional Communications Center received a report from a passerby of a tractor-trailer crash on I-95 northbound near mile marker 141 in the town of Clinton. The initial report indicated the tractor-trailer had left the roadway and struck the center median.
The driver was transported to Thayer Hospital in Waterville by Clinton Ambulance with non-life-threatening injuries. The cause of the crash remains under investigation.
Fire Marshal’s Office Investigating Intentionally Set Fire in Mexico
MEXICO—The Office of the State Fire Marshal is investigating a fire that occurred Tuesday, January 6, 2026, at approximately 7:26 p.m., at 9 Oxford Street in Mexico. Fire investigators have been working the incident over the past several days. The fire occurred at a vacant home and has been classified as incendiary.
Investigators are trying to identify an individual in still images (see attached) who may have information relevant to the investigation. They are also asking nearby residents and businesses to check their security or surveillance cameras for any activity that be relevant. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the Office of the State Fire Marshal at 207-624-7076. The investigation remains ongoing. Additional information will be released as it becomes available.
Fire Marshal’s Office Investigating Intentionally Set Fire in Phillips
PHILLIPS—On Tuesday, January 6, 2026, at approximately 12:51 a.m., the Phillips Fire Department responded to a reported building fire at 83 Dodge Road in Phillips. Upon arrival, firefighters found the vacant home heavily involved in fire. The Office of the State Fire Marshal responded to the scene and conducted an investigation.
Fire Marshal investigators determined the fire to be incendiary in nature. Investigators are asking residents in the surrounding area who may have security or surveillance cameras to review their footage for any activity that may be relevant to the investigation. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the Office of the State Fire Marshal at 207-624-7076. The investigation remains ongoing. Additional information will be released as it becomes available.
Maine State Police Cruiser Struck During Crash Response on Turnpike
WELLS—On Friday January 9, 2026, at approximately 7:12 a.m, Troop G Troopers were investigating a single vehicle crash in the median northbound on the Maine Turnpike in Wells at mile marker 19. Three troopers had parked their marked cruisers with emergency lights activated to divert traffic away from the crash in the median.
Trooper Christopher Caldeira was sitting in his marked blue 2020 Ford Explorer MSP cruiser with its emergency lights activated when he was hit from behind by a 2023 Mercedes Benz sedan operated by 31-year-old Priscilla Eydra Kifayatullah, of Germantown, WI. The crash caused significant damage to both vehicles.
Both Kifayatullah and Trooper Caldeira were transported to York Hospital for evaluation of possible minor injuries. The highway remained open however traffic was significantly backed up because only one lane was open for travel for approximately one hour.
Assisting the Maine State Police on scene were the Maine Turnpike Authority, York Fire Department, Ogunquit Fire Department, Wells Fire Department, and National Wrecker Service. This incident is still under investigation.
*This crash serves as a reminder of Maine’s “Move Over” law, which applies to any stopped vehicle displaying flashing lights or hazard lights. Drivers are required to move into the adjacent lane when it is safe to do so, or slow down and proceed with caution if a lane change is not possible.
*The initial crash was a slide off into the median. No injuries to the driver.
Fire Marshal’s Office Investigating Cause of Fire at Maine Wildlife Park
GRAY—On Thursday, January 8, 2026, at approximately 10:50 p.m., the Gray Fire Department responded to the Maine Wildlife Park for a reported structure fire. The Maine Warden Service and the Office of State Fire Marshal responded to the scene and confirmed there were no animals or people injured in the fire.
During the morning of January 9, 2026, Investigators from the Office of State Fire Marshal along with personnel from the Maine Fuel Board and Electricians’ Examination Board returned to the scene to investigate the fire. Investigators were unable to determine an exact cause of the fire but believe it was accidental, likely the result of electrical malfunction from multiple possible sources.
Agencies that responded to the scene to assist with the suppression and investigation of the fire included the Gray Fire Department, New Gloucester Fire Department, Windham Fire Rescue, Raymond Fire Department, Cumberland Fire Department, North Yarmouth Fire Department, Falmouth Fire Department, Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife, Office of State Fire Marshal, Maine Fuel Board, Electricians’ Examination Board, and the Maine Department of Environmental Protection.
Maine State Police Investigating Fatal Crash Involving Two MaineDOT Workers
WATERVILLE—On Tuesday, January 13, 2026, at approximately 9:37 a.m., the Maine State Police responded to a fatal pedestrian crash on I-95 southbound near mile marker 127 in Waterville. The Maine Department of Transportation had closed the traveling lane at the end of the southbound on-ramp from Kennedy Memorial Drive using cones and a posted stop sign as part of bridge construction work, with MaineDOT workers present at the site.
The initial investigation indicates the operator of a gray Kia minivan failed to stop at the posted stop sign and then attempted to enter the passing lane (lane one) of I-95 southbound, where the minivan was struck by a tractor-trailer which was traveling southbound. As a result of the collision, the minivan was forced into the work zone, striking three Maine Department of Transportation workers who were working at the site. The impact propelled two of the workers over the bridge and onto Kennedy Memorial Drive below.
The two workers were pronounced deceased at the scene. They have been identified as 60-year-old James Brown, of Waterville, and 51-year-old Dwayne Campbell, of Waterville. A third worker was transported to a local hospital with injuries believed to be non-life-threatening.
The operator of the minivan, 34-year-old Samantha Tupper, of Augusta had two young children in the vehicle. The children were not injured. Tupper was transported to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. The driver of the tractor trailer was not injured.
Due to the crash, all lanes of I-95 southbound were shut down for several hours while the Maine State Police Crash Reconstruction Unit conducted its investigation. One lane of I-95 southbound has since reopened. Additionally, Kennedy Memorial Drive was shut down westbound, and one lane was shut down eastbound for several hours to allow emergency response and investigation.
The crash remains under investigation. The Maine State Police is being assisted by the Waterville Police Department, Waterville Fire Department, Waterville Public Works, Delta Ambulance, and Dostie’s Towing.
The Maine State Police extend our condolences to the family, coworkers, and loved ones of the MaineDOT workers impacted by this fatal crash.
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.
Unless otherwise specified, all photos courtesy of Maine Department of Public Safety
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