Police updates for Bar Harbor, Mount Desert, Southwest Harbor, Tremont, State Police and Hancock County Sheriff’s Department.
Feb 17, 2026
The Bar Harbor Story is generously sponsored by Window Panes Home and Garden.
BAR HARBOR—According to Acadia National Park’s Deputy Chief of Interpretation Amanda Pollock, a cross-country skier was accidentally separated from the rest of their party while skiing on Acadia National Park’s carriage road cross-country ski trails the evening of February 15.
The group had been skiing the Eagle Lake Around the Mountain loop when the skier became separated from the rest of the party.
The Bar Harbor Police Department assisted in the after-dark search efforts and also assisted trying to locate the individual via cellphone pings.
An Acadia National Park Ranger who rode to the area from the Ranger Headquarters on a snowmobile located the missing skier and reunited them with their party. The skier was in good condition when found.
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, February 10, 2026
Officer Ted Cake conducted a vehicle identification number verification in Bar Harbor.
Officer Elias Burne helped someone change a flat tire in Bar Harbor.
After receiving a report of a dead deer on the side of the road in Mount Desert, Officer Kaleb Patson contacted the Maine Department of Transportation to dispose of the deer.
Officer Payson assisted another agency in Bar Harbor with getting paperwork signed.
Wednesday, February 11, 2026
Someone reported a man and a dog trespassing in Bar Harbor, but Officer Caleb Mora could not locate the man or the dog.
Mental Health Liaison Melissa Gleason participated in community outreach at the Jesup Memorial Library in Bar Harbor.
MHL Gleason participated in community outreach in Mount Desert.
Thursday, February 12, 2026
After Officer Troy Stanwood received a report of a vehicle speeding in a school zone in Bar Harbor, the offending vehicle was stopped in a neighboring jurisdiction and the driver was warned for their speed in the school zone.
MHL Gleason spoke with someone who was in crisis in Bar Harbor.
Officer Stanwood spoke with someone regarding a social media issue in Bar Harbor.
Friday, February 13, 2026
Officer Nathan Formby responded to a report of someone having mental health issues in Bar Harbor and was able to get them calmed down for the evening without any issues.
Officer Payson assisted another agency with a vehicle that had slid off the road in Bar Harbor. The vehicle was pulled back onto the road by DC Towing and had no damage.
After responding to a report of someone having some mental health issues in Bar Harbor, Officer Payson took the person into protective custody and transported them to the hospital for an evaluation.
Following a crash investigation involving the crashed vehicle being abandoned, Officer Lukas Keene arrested Tracy Taylor, 68, of Mount Desert, for operating under the influence.
Officer Justin Burnett documented a report of someone in Bar Harbor almost being the victim of a scam, but no money was lost.
Saturday, February 14, 2026
Officer Liam Harrington assisted MDI Hospital in Bar Harbor by getting paperwork signed by a Justice of the Peace.
Officer Harrington responded to a medical call in Bar Harbor with the Bar Harbor Fire Department.
Sgt. Jerrod Hardy spoke with a Bar Harbor resident who has some concerns regarding a family member.
Officer Zack Kline assisted the Ellsworth Police Department with a notification.
Following a traffic stop in Mount Desert, Officer Keene summoned William Erlanson, 29, of Orland, for operating after suspension and failure to display a valid inspection sticker.
Officer Burnett assisted while a vehicle was towed out of a ditch where it had ended up due to snowy road conditions.
Sunday, February 15, 2026
Following a report of a possible intoxicated driver in Mount Desert and after investigation, Officer Payson arrested Heli Mesiniemi, 57, of Mount Desert, for operating under the influence. Mesiniemi 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, February 9, 2026
Sgt. Rick Graham is investigating a report of a suspicious situation by a Southwest Harbor resident.
After receiving a report of a road construction sign that had blown into the roadway on Maine Street in Southwest Harbor, Sgt. Graham removed the sign from the road and notified the construction company.
Sgt. Graham assisted a Southwest Harbor resident with getting back into their apartment after they had locked themselves out.
Sgt. Graham served court paperwork to a Tremont resident.
After receiving a Lifeline alarm in Southwest Harbor, Sgt. Graham responded and found that it had been accidentally triggered.
Tuesday, February 10, 2026
Officer Kristin Roulet was asked by the parents of a Tremont student to speak with their child in regard to an incident that had occurred at school.
Officer Roulet received a complaint regarding several loose dogs in Tremont that have been a continual nuisance in the area.
Wednesday, February 11, 2026
After receiving a complaint about a vehicle impeding snow removal near the Coast Gurad base, Officer Roulet responded and the vehicle was moved.
Officer Bradley Russell performed a well-being check on a “Good Morning Quietside” program participant who was not answering their phone and found them to be okay.
Officer Russell responded to a report of juveniles riding on the road without wearing helmets but when he arrived, all of the juveniles were wearing helmets. Officer Russell spoke with the juveniles and their parents about helmet safety.
Thursday, February 12, 2026
Sgt. Graham responded with the ambulance service to a medical call in Southwest Harbor.
The Mount Desert Fire Department responded to a medical call in Southwest Harbor because the Southwest Harbor-Tremont Ambulance Service was on another call and Sgt. Graham responded with the Mount Desert ambulance.
Friday, February 13, 2026
Officer Roulet took a report of a theft from someone who walked into the Southwest Harbor Police Department to report it, and it was determined that the person was at the wrong police department to make the complaint.
After receiving a business alarm at a Southwest Harbor business, Officer Roulet and the Southwest Harbor Fire Department responded and determined that the alarm was caused by a burst pipe that caused water damage to the business.
Officer Roulet received a report of someone walking their dog off leash in Tremont and referred it to the Tremont Animal Control Officer who said that there is no leash ordinance in Tremont.
Saturday, February 14, 2026
No reported incidents.
Sunday, February 15, 2026
Sgt. Graham checked on a person who was reported to be slumped over their steering wheel in Southwest Harbor and determined that the person had pulled over to use their cellphone.
Monday, February 16, 2026
Officer Roulet delivered a bucket of sand to a Southwest Harbor resident via the “Sand for Seniors” program and also sanded their sidewalk for them.
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 Fatal Fire in Presque Isle
PRESQUE ISLE—On Wednesday, February 11, 2026, at approximately 3:43 a.m., the Presque Isle Fire Department responded to a reported house fire at 139 Ginn Road. Upon arrival, firefighters encountered heavy fire conditions on the second floor of the residence. Two occupants were able to escape the fire safely. Firefighters were advised that a third occupant remained unaccounted for and was believed to be on the second floor.
A team of State Fire Marshal investigators responded to the scene. One adult male was located deceased inside the home. Investigators have determined the fire originated in the deceased male’s bedroom. The cause of the fire remains under investigation. The victim was transported to the Office of Chief Medical Examiner in Augusta to determine the cause of death and confirm positive identification. The investigation is ongoing, and additional information will be released as it becomes available.
Investigators determined that a functioning smoke detector on the first floor alerted the two occupants who were able to escape safely. There were no working smoke detectors on the second floor, where the fire originated.
The Presque Isle Fire Department was assisted on scene by the Presque Isle Police Department, Easton Fire Department, Caribou Fire and Ambulance, and Versant Power. Mapleton Fire Department assisted with station coverage.
Maine State Police Investigating Fatal Crash on Turnpike Falmouth
FALMOUTH—On Thursday, February 12, 2026, at approximately 1:46 a.m., troopers responded to a report of a motor vehicle crash on the northbound off-ramp of Interstate 95 at mile marker 53 in Falmouth.
The crash involved a single vehicle and a single occupant. The driver, identified as 33-year-old Daniel St. Peter, of Windham, was pronounced deceased at the scene. Preliminary investigation indicates the vehicle, a blue Honda Accord, left the roadway and rolled.
The northbound off-ramp was closed for approximately 90 minutes while emergency personnel responded and investigators processed the scene. The cause of the crash remains under investigation. Portland Fire and Rescue assisted on scene.
Law Enforcement Investigating Gunfire at Central Maine Power Substations
AUGUSTA REGION—Law enforcement agencies are investigating multiple gunshots that occurred at electrical substations in Kennebec County early Sunday morning, February 15, 2026.
Between approximately midnight and 4:15 a.m., officers responded to reports of gunfire at three Central Maine Power substations located in Windsor, Winslow, and Augusta.
At approximately 12:15 a.m., Maine State Police Troopers responded to the Coopers Mills substation off Barton Road in Windsor after receiving a report of shots fired.
In Winslow, officers from the Winslow Police Department responded to the substation on Benton Avenue at approximately 3:59 a.m., and at approximately 4:15 a.m., officers from the Augusta Police Department responded to a report of shots fired at the substation located on Capital Street in Augusta.
At each location, officers found evidence consistent with gunfire and damage to installations. The incidents appear to be similar in nature. No one was injured. There is no threat to the public.
Later Sunday morning, 54-year-old Thomas Welch, of Fairfield, turned himself in to the Winslow Police Department. Following an initial investigation Welch was taken into custody by the Winslow Police Department and was transported to the Kennebec County Jail. Welch is charged with aggravated criminal mischief and aggravated reckless conduct.
This remains an active investigation involving the Maine State Police, Winslow Police Department, and Augusta Police Department. Additional information will be released when appropriate.
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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