Police updates for Bar Harbor, Mount Desert, Southwest Harbor, Tremont, State Police and Hancock County Sheriff’s Department.
Jan 20, 2026
The Bar Harbor Story is generously sponsored by Edward Jones Financial Advisor: Elise N. Frank.
BAR HARBOR—On January 10, 2026, at approximately 12:41 p.m., Officer Caleb Mora attempted to stop a vehicle in Bar Harbor for not having a registration plate displayed. The vehicle driver fled and the vehicle was located nearby a short time later. The driver of the vehicle refused to exit the residence for Officer Mora.
After further investigation and with the suspected driver, Frandy J M Ramirez Rodriguez, 32, of Bar Harbor, refusing to come out of the residence, an arrest warrant was drafted and was submitted for approval.
After the warrant had been approved, on January 14, 2026, at approximately 10:27 a.m., Officer Mora checked to see if the suspect was at the residence.
Rodriguez was at the residence but again initially refused to cooperate and exit the residence.
However, Rodriguez’s attorney convinced him to cooperate with police and Rodriguez was arrested on the active warrant. Rodriguez was transported to the Hancock County Jail.
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 13, 2026
Officer Kaleb Payson took a late report of property damage in Mount Desert that was reported for documentation purposes only.
Mental Health Liaison Melissa Gleason spoke with someone in Mount Desert who has “unmet needs.”
Mental Health Liaison Melissa Gleason spoke with someone in Bar Harbor who looking for financial resources.
Officer Liam Harrington took a report of abandoned luggage in Bar Harbor, but the baggage was retrieved by its owner prior to his response.
Officer Harrington received a report of a potential bail violation in Bar Harbor, but no violation had occurred.
Wednesday, January 14, 2026
After receiving a report of two people walking on the side of Route 102 in Bar Harbor at approximately 1:30 a.m., Officer Zack Kline gave them a ride to the destination they were heading to.
Officer Amie Torrey is investigating a Department of Health and Human Services referral in Bar Harbor.
Someone reported a missing package in Bar Harbor to Officer Mora. The package was located in the mailbox which is not the usual package delivery area.
Officer Mora looked for a vehicle that was the subject of a motor vehicle complaint in Bar Harbor but could not locate it.
Sgt. Chris Dickens is investigating a trespassing complaint made in Mount Desert.
Sgt. Dickens provided someone in Bar Harbor with mental health resource information.
Officer Virginia Helton took a noise complaint in Bar Harbor regarding machines running after quiet hours. The workers told Officer Helton that they would be done in 20 minutes and they were.
Thursday, January 15, 2026
After taking a report of traffic lights in Bar Harbor not functioning properly, Officer Mora determined that they were functioning properly.
Officer Harrington took a report of a motor vehicle being operated erratically in Bar Harbor, but no officers were in a position to locate the vehicle.
Officer Justin Burnett conducted a citizen ride along in Bar Harbor.
A chronically suspended driver was reported to be driving in Bar Harbor. The driver was stopped by Officer Mora and warned. Officer Mora then followed up with family members to help rectify the issue going forward.
Officer Mora took a report of a civil issue in Bar Harbor.
Sgt. Dickens spoke with someone regarding people loitering at a Somesville business.
Sgt. Dickens conducted a citizen ride-along in Bar Harbor.
Friday, January 16, 2026
Following a traffic stop in Bar Harbor, Officer Helton arrested Lucas Wood, 28, of Mount Desert, for operating under the influence of drugs. Wood was transported to the Hancock County Jail.
Officer Payson collected a needle that was on the ground in a Bar Harbor park and disposed of it.
After receiving a report of a person having a mental health issue in Bar Harbor, Officer Mora determined that the person was OK and it was not mental health related.
Officer Payson provided a ride home for someone in Bar Harbor.
After receiving a gunshot complaint in Mount Desert, Officer Mora determined that it was unfounded after failing to hear any gunshots and speaking with other residents.
Officer Harrington delivered a message to a child at practice in Bar Harbor on behalf of the parent and told the child that their parent would be late picking them up.
After receiving an erratic operation complaint regarding a vehicle in Bar Harbor, Officer Harrington located the vehicle and determined that the driver was lost.
Saturday, January 17, 2026
Officer Harrington conducted a well-being check on someone in Bar Harbor and found them to be OK.
After receiving a parking complaint in Mount Desert, Officer Payson was able to get the vehicle owner to move their vehicle.
Officer Nathan Formby responded to a disorderly situation in Bar Harbor and warned a man for disorderly conduct.
Officer Formby assisted the Bar Harbor Highway Department with a parking issue in Bar Harbor.
Sunday, January 18, 2026
Sgt. Doug Brundrett took a complaint of a vehicle doing “donuts” in the parking lot of a Bar Harbor business, but the vehicle was gone when he arrived.
Officer Payson performed a security check at a Bar Harbor business.
The Bar Harbor Police Department received a harassment complaint from a Trenton resident and advised them to call the Hancock County Sheriff’s Department.
At the request of a local tow company, Officer Harrington documented preexisting damage to a vehicle prior to it being towed.
Sgt. Brundrett received some information in Bar Harbor.
Officer Harrington took a report of a loose dog in Somesville and the dog was returned to its owner.
Monday, January 19, 2026
The Bar Harbor Highway Department reported a tree down in Bar Harbor and the police department notified Versant Power due to the fact that the tree was in the power lines.
Sgt. Brundrett received some information in Bar Harbor.
Sgt. Jerrod Hardy received a report of a kid screaming for help on Main Street in Bar Harbor and found the child and his friend to just be playing around in the snow.
During a traffic stop in Bar Harbor, Officer Mora conducted a bail conditions and probation conditions check on someone. The person was warned for a violation and the matter was referred to the person’s probation officer.
Sgt. Hardy discovered a tree blocking the road on lower Ledgelawn Avenue and the Bar Harbor Highway Department removed it.
Tuesday, January 20, 2026
Following a traffic stop on the Eagle Lake Road in Bar Harbor, Officer Mora arrested Ganesh Reddy, 55, of Bar Harbor, on an active arrest warrant for violation of bail. Reddy was 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, January 12, 2026
Officer Kristen Roulet received a complaint regarding a vehicle that was parked facing the wrong way by the hardware store in Southwest Harbor but determined that there was no vehicle facing the wrong way when she arrived.
Officers performed a civil keep the peace while a Southwest Harbor resident retrieved some belongings from their previous residence.
Officer Bradley Russell performed some security checks on seasonal homes in Southwest Harbor.
Tuesday, January 13, 2026
Officer Rick Graham responded with the ambulance service to a medical call in Southwest Harbor.
After receiving a report of a loud “boom” sound from a Southwest Harbor resident, Officer Graham checked the area but could not locate anything.
Officer Graham responded with the ambulance service, the Southwest Harbor Fire Department, and the Tremont Fire Department to a medical call in Southwest Harbor but the patient refused transport to the hospital.
Officer Graham took a report of a civil matter from a Southwest Harbor business owner.
Officer Rick Graham responded with the ambulance service to a medical call in Southwest Harbor.
A Tremont resident reported a suspicious vehicle near his residence and when Officer Graham responded, he could not locate the vehicle. Officer Graham located the vehicle a short time later and subsequently arrested Joseph A. Evangelista, 22, of Tremont, for operating under the influence.
Wednesday, January 14, 2026
Officer Russell received some information from a Southwest Harbor resident.
Officer Russell helped someone in Southwest Harbor gain entry into their vehicle.
Officer Russell performed a well-being check on a Tremont resident who is a member of the Good Morning Program and found them not to be home.
Officer Russell received a complaint about someone outside of a Southwest Harbor business taking photos. Upon arrival, Officer Russell could not locate anyone taking photos or matching the given description.
Officer Russell preformed a civil keep the peace while a Southwest Harbor resident retrieved some belongings from their previous residence.
Officer Russell is investigating a Tremont resident’s complaint that their vehicle was damaged overnight.
After receiving a crash notification in Southwest Harbor from a cell phone, Officer Russell responded to the area and located a damaged phone in the road.
Someone walked into the lobby of the Southwest Harbor Police Department requesting medical attention. The ambulance service transported the person to the hospital.
Thursday, January 15, 2026
Officer Russell responded to a security alarm in Tremont, checked the house with the caretaker, and determined that it was a false alarm.
Officer James Kamorski took a report of harassment in Southwest Harbor and determined that no harassment occurred.
Officer Kamorski spoke with someone in Southwest Harbor who had questions regarding sex offender registries.
Officer Kamorski performed a civil keep the peace while a Tremont resident retrieved some belongings from their previous residence.
After receiving a report of suspicious activity in Tremont, Officer Kamorski responded but could not locate anything suspicious.
Friday, January 16, 2026
Officer Russell responded to Tremont for a reported animal problem on a Tremont road.
Officer Russell served some paperwork to someone in Tremont.
Officer Russell received some information from someone in Southwest Harbor.
Saturday, January 17, 2026
While on patrol, Officer Graham located a car in the parking lot of a Southwest Harbor hiking area that had an open door. Officer Graham closed the door and left a business card behind. The vehicle owner later called and stated that they had left the door open by accident and that nothing was missing from the car.
A person found a dog on a Southwest Harbor road and waited with it until Officer Graham arrived and got its owner to retrieve it.
Officer Graham received some information from a Tremont resident.
Sunday, January 18, 2026
Officer Kamorski responded with the ambulance service to a medical call in Southwest Harbor.
Officer Kamorski is investigating a possible protection order violation in Tremont.
Monday, January 29, 2026
Officer Russell received court paperwork to be served on a person but discovered that the person no longer lives in Southwest Harbor or Tremont.
A Southwest Harbor business informed Officer Russell that it had a vehicle towed from its property.
Officer Roulet assisted the ambulance service with a medical alarm call in Tremont.
Officer Russell fingerprinted someone at the Southwest Harbor Police Department.
Officer Russell responded with the ambulance service to a medical call in Southwest Harbor.
Officer Russell responded to a security alarm at a Southwest Harbor business, walked the perimeter of the building, found everything secure, and notified the business owner.
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.
Fire Marshal’s Office Investigating Intentionally Set Fire in Ellsworth
ELLSWORTH—On Wednesday, January 14, 2026, at approximately 5:50 p.m., the Ellsworth Fire Department was called to 384 Water Street for a structure fire. The property, a vacant single-family residence sustained minor fire damage. The Fire Marshals Office was called in to investigate the origin and cause of the fire.
The fire is being classified as incendiary. Investigators are asking residents in the area who have security or surveillance cameras to review their footage for any activity that may be relevant to the investigation. Anyone with information is asked to call the State Fire Marshals Office 207-624-7076 or the Ellsworth Police Department at 207.677.2168.
The investigation remains ongoing. Additional information will be released as it becomes available.
Fire Marshal’s Office Investigating Suspicious Fire in Gorham
GORHAM—On Wednesday, January 14, 2026, at approximately 2:55 p.m., the Gorham Fire Department was dispatched to 23 Towpath Road for a reported structure fire. Upon arrival, fire crews observed heavy smoke and fire showing from the left side of the structure. The residence was uninhabitable, boarded up, and had not been occupied for several years. The structure was isolated, with no nearby residences or exposures. No injuries were reported.
The Gorham Fire Department, with assistance from the Windham Fire Department, conducted fire suppression operations and successfully contained and extinguished the fire. There was no electrical service to the structure, and no damage occurred to surrounding properties or structures. Circumstances surrounding the fire were deemed suspicious. As a result, the Gorham Fire Department requested assistance from the Maine State Fire Marshal’s Office to conduct a fire investigation.
Investigators worked in coordination with the Gorham Police Department Detective Division. During the scene examination, it was observed that although the residence had been boarded up, one of the boards covering a front window appeared to have been pulled down, and one of the boarded entry doors showed signs of forced damage.
The State Fire Marshal’s Office reports that a 15-year-old juvenile has been charged with Arson in connection with a fire that occurred on Wednesday, January 14, 2026, at an abandoned structure located at 23 Tow Path Road in Gorham. Following a joint investigation, Gorham Police and Fire Investigators determined that the juvenile entered the vacant building and intentionally started the fire. The juvenile has been charged with class A arson and was subsequently released to the custody of his parents.
The juvenile and his parents have been cooperative throughout the investigation, which remains ongoing.
Maine State Police Makes Arrest in Skowhegan Homicide
SKOWHEGAN—On Wednesday, January 14, 2026, the Skowhegan Police Department received a 911 call at 11:37 p.m., for a person not breathing at 361 West Front Street. Upon arrival officers discovered a deceased female at the residence. The Maine State Police Major Crimes Unit Central was called to assist.
The deceased was transported to the Office of Chief Medical Examiner in Augusta for an autopsy that was conducted on Thursday, January 15, 2026. Detectives and evidence technicians worked throughout the day conducting interviews and gathering evidence.
The Office of Chief Medical Examiner in Augusta has ruled the death of the woman in Skowhegan a homicide following an autopsy conducted as part of an ongoing Maine State Police Major Crimes Unit Central investigation. The victim has been identified as 46-year-old Nicole Jackson of Skowhegan. The autopsy determined the cause of death to be blunt force and sharp force trauma, and the manner of death was ruled a homicide.
Based on information developed during the investigation, Maine State Police identified Jackson’s boyfriend 55-year-old Dane Burke, of Skowhegan, as a suspect in her death. Burke was believed to be traveling in a 2018 silver Jeep Compass with Ohio license plates.
On January 17, 2026, at approximately 8:00 a.m., the vehicle was located in Lowell, Massachusetts. Local law enforcement attempted to stop the vehicle, but the driver failed to comply, resulting in a pursuit. Massachusetts State Police joined the pursuit, which continued into New Hampshire.
The pursuit ended in Dunbarton, New Hampshire, when the vehicle left the roadway and crashed into a tree on Route 13, just north of Barnard Road. Following the crash, Burke barricaded himself inside the vehicle. The New Hampshire State Police SWAT Team responded and ultimately took Burke into custody at approximately 10:30 a.m.
Burke was transported to Concord Hospital with injuries believed to be non-life-threatening. He was arrested on a Maine warrant charging him with murder and will remain in New Hampshire custody pending his return to Maine. Once released from the hospital, Burke will be transported to a New Hampshire jail.
This investigation remains ongoing. Additional updates will be provided when appropriate.
Fire Marshal’s Office Investigating Arson in Farmington
FARMINGTON—On Thursday, January 15, 2026, at approximately 8:30 p.m., fire investigators responded to a report of a camper trailer fire at 922 Farmington Falls Road in Farmington. Following an investigation, officials determined the fire had been intentionally set.
As a result, 32-year-old Haydn Foley, of Farmington, was arrested and charged with Arson. Foley lived in the camper trailer and was on scene at the time of the investigation. He was not injured. Foley was transported to the Franklin County Jail.
The Farmington Fire Department and Farmington Police Department are assisting the Fire Marshal’s Office with the investigation. No additional information is available at this time.
Maine State Police’s Commercial Vehicle Enforcement unit (CVEU) Inspects Hundreds of Commercial Vehicles During Operation Safe D.R.I.V.E.
MAINE—The Maine State Police Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Unit (Troop K) participated in the national safety initiative called Operation Safe D.R.I.V.E. (Distracted Reckless Impaired Visibility Enforcement) hosted by the FMCSA this week. FMCSA stands for Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. This three-day enforcement action resulted in 390 trucks being inspected with 80 trucks being put out of service for imminent safety risks to the public.
During this event FMCSA personnel worked side by side with our Troop K members inspecting trucks and interacting with drivers to promote safe operations with commercial vehicles. Throughout this event, smart roadside technologies were used to screen large volumes of trucks so that troopers and inspectors could focus on the vehicles with defects and violations.
These technologies include, tire anomaly sensors, thermal imaging for brakes and license plate readers for company credentials and safety scores. The most dangerous truck inspected this week was initially flagged by the tire anomaly sensors. Troopers conducted an inspection on this particular truck and found 37 violations including bald tires and missing brakes.
This technology allows our limited staff to screen nearly 600,000 trucks every year helping to detect and inspect the unsafe operators and trucks on our Maine roads.
Maine State Police Investigating Fatal Crash in Falmouth
FALMOUTH—On Saturday, January 17, 2026, at approximately 1:57 p.m., troopers responded to a motor vehicle crash on the Falmouth Spur eastbound near the on-ramp to I-295 north in Falmouth. It was reported that a car had gone off the road into the guardrail.
Troopers responded along with Falmouth Fire and Rescue to find the driver of a white 2013 Subaru Impreza trapped inside her vehicle. The driver identified as 19-year-old Joamaliz Orozco, of East Hartford, Connecticut, was transported to Maine Medical Center where she was pronounced dead.
Weather and road conditions are thought to be the primary cause of the crash. The investigation is ongoing. Falmouth Fire and Rescue assisted at the scene, as did Maine DOT and Stewarts Towing.
Fire Marshal’s Office Investigating Structure Fire in Friendship
FRIENDSHIP—On Monday, January 19, 2026, at approximately 9:44 p.m., the Knox County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call reporting an explosion followed by a fire at a single-family residence located at 36 N. Harbor Cemetery Lane in Friendship.
The Friendship Fire Department responded to the scene along with several neighboring fire departments. Upon arrival, firefighters located an adult female outside the residence who was identified as an occupant of the home. The individual had sustained substantial, life-threatening injuries. She was treated on scene by Waldoboro Rescue and subsequently transported by LifeFlight to Maine Medical Center in Portland.
Investigators from the Office of the State Fire Marshal responded to the scene. Evidence at the scene indicated that a small explosion had occurred. The investigation revealed that the residence did not have electrical service, and generators were being used to supply power. The home was also being heated by a fireplace. Propane gas was being used for cooking purposes, and several propane cylinders of varying sizes were located in and around the residence.
The investigation remains ongoing; however, the incident is not considered suspicious at this time. Additional information will be released as it becomes available.
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 noted, all photos courtesy of Maine Department of Public Safety.
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