Police updates for Bar Harbor, Mount Desert, Southwest Harbor, Tremont, State Police and Hancock County Sheriff’s Department.
Mar 17, 2026
The Bar Harbor Story is generously sponsored by the Maine Seacoast Mission.
MOUNT DESERT ISLAND REGION—A gusting storm brought high winds, standing water in streets, and broken utility poles throughout the region Monday and into Tuesday.
The Mount Desert Island High School had a two-hour delay due to power issues.
According to Superintendent Mike Zboray, “as part of the loss of power this morning, a compressor motor overheated and caught fire. It was quickly extinguished by our maintenance crew. The BHFD (Bar Harbor Fire Department) was called and responded to ensure the safety of our building, and a new compressor is being installed.”
At 8 a.m. on Tuesday, March 17, Versant reported 81 active outages with 5,521 customers impacted.
The National Weather Service had issued a flood watch in the area through Tuesday afternoon. A high wind warning for south winds 20 to 30 mph with gusts up to 60 mph expected lasted through the morning.
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, March 9, 2026
Officer Justin Burnett conducted a well-being check on a Mount Desert resident who was found to be fine.
After receiving a report of a commercial vehicle traveling on a posted road in Bar Harbor, Officer Kaleb Payson responded and helped the vehicle get off of the road.
Officer Payson conducted a vehicle identification number verification in Bar Harbor for a tow company.
Officer Payson checked on someone in Bar Harbor after having received a suspicious person complaint and found that the person was all set.
A motor vehicle complaint was made in Mount Desert, but officers were on another call at the time and the suspect vehicle was not located.
Officer Ted Cake performed a requested well-being check on someone in Bar Harbor and found that they were fine.
Officer Liam Harrington assisted “a local health facility” in Bar Harbor with a combative patient.
After receiving a complaint regarding a speeding vehicle in Bar Harbor, Officer Burnett searched for the vehicle but could not locate it.
Tuesday, March 10, 2026
Someone brought old ammunition to the Bar Harbor Police Department requesting that it be destroyed.
Officer Payson received a trespassing complaint in Bar Harbor, located the offender, and warned them for trespassing.
Sgt. Soren Sundberg fingerprinted a registered sex offender at the Bar Harbor Police Department.
Sgt. Doug Brundrett responded to the Eagle Lake Road in Bar Harbor for a reported issue with a juvenile.
Someone gave information to Officer Lukas Keene in Bar Harbor.
Officer Burnett assisted a Mount Desert resident with a personal matter.
Wednesday, March 11, 2026
Officer Payson served someone in Bar Harbor a subpoena from the District Attorney’s Office.
Officer Amie Torrey spoke with a woman in Mount Desert who wanted to speak about her property.
Thursday, March 12, 2026
Officer Torrey assisted a school in Mount Desert that was having issues with a student.
Following a traffic stop in Mount Desert, Officer Nathan Formby summoned Mickey Dunham, 20, of Carmel, for false attachment of plates.
Friday, March 13, 2026
Officer Formby is investigating a report of fraud received from someone in Mount Desert.
Officer T. Cake assisted with a medical call in Bar Harbor.
At the request of another agency, Officer Harrington attempted to locate someone in Bar Harbor but the person contacted the requesting agency prior to Officer Harrington finding them.
Someone in Bar Harbor inquired with Officer Harrington about having a vehicle towed, but the vehicle was on private property and could only be towed at the property owner’s request.
At the request of a Bar Harbor resident, Officer Burnett documented an incident.
Saturday, March 14, 2026
After receiving a complaint of a vehicle parked in violation of the winter parking ban in Mount Desert, and after making attempts to contact the owner, Officer T. Cake left a copy of the winter parking ordinance on the vehicle.
Officer Payson received information from someone in Bar Harbor.
Someone in Bar Harbor made a harassment complaint and Officer Payson documented the information because no criminal activity had occurred.
Sunday, March 15, 2026
Officer Burnett assisted a Bar Harbor resident with getting home.
At the request of a family member, Officer T. Cake contacted someone in Bar Harbor and asked them to contact the family member.
While performing a well-being check in Bar Harbor, Officer T. Cake located a deceased person. The person had died of natural causes.
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.
Tuesday, March 10, 2026
By request, Officer Kristen Roulet spoke to a Tremont Consolidated School parent about their behavior on school property.
After receiving a residential alarm in Southwest Harbor, Officer Bradley Russell responded but was cancelled by the property’s key holder while Officer Russell was on his way.
Officer Russell took a report of an incident that occurred in a construction zone in Southwest Harbor.
Officer Russell responded with the ambulance service to a medical call in Southwest Harbor.
Wednesday, March 11, 2026
Sgt. Rick Graham responded with the ambulance service to a medical call in Southwest Harbor.
After receiving a residential panic alarm in Southwest Harbor, Sgt. Graham responded but was cancelled while traveling there because the property owner had set the alarm off by accident.
Thursday, March 12, 2026
Officer Roulet responded to a report of an open door on a home that is for sale in Southwest Harbor. Officer Roulet secured the door.
After receiving a report of a car speeding on the Shore Road in Southwest Harbor, Officer Roulet attempted to locate the suspect vehicle but could not.
Friday, March 13, 2026
Officer Russell spoke with a Tremont resident about a potential unauthorized attempt at accessing an account. Officer Russell determined that it was a civil issue.
Officer Russell responded to a security alarm in Southwest Harbor but was advised to disregard by the security company while he was headed there.
Saturday, March 14, 2026
After receiving a complaint of protestors making it hard for traffic to leave the school parking lot after a basketball event at the Pemetic School in Southwest Harbor, Sgt. Graham responded and spoke with the remaining protestors about not blocking the driveways.
Sgt. Graham assisted the ambulance service with a medical call in Southwest Harbor.
A Tremont resident reported a juvenile riding a dirt bike in the road and using offensive hand gestures in Tremont. Sgt. Graham responded to the complaint and warned the juvenile for their behavior.
After receiving a report of a road rage incident that was occurring in Southwest Harbor and with the vehicle heading into Tremont, Sgt. Graham responded but could not locate the suspect vehicle.
Sunday, March 15, 2026
Officer Roulet responded to a dispute between neighbors in Tremont.
Officer Roulet assisted the ambulance service with a medical call in Tremont.
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 — (1) Maine Street/Route 102
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.
Maine Drug Enforcement Arrests Five in Searsport for Drug Trafficking
SEARSPORT—For the past several months, the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency Mid-Coast Drug Task Force, the Waldo County Sheriff’s Office, and the Searsport Police Department have been conducting a joint investigation into the sale of methamphetamine and cocaine from two residences in Searsport. This investigation included several undercover purchases of both cocaine base and methamphetamine from the residences.
On Tuesday, March 10, 2026, MDEA applied for and received search warrants for 22 Homestead Lane and 119 Loop Road, in Searsport. With the aid of the Maine State Police tactical team, Waldo County Sheriff’s Office, and Searsport PD, the warrants were executed in the early morning hours.
As a result of the undercover buys of drugs from the residences MDEA arrested Holly Jo Ward, 42, of 119 Loop Road, Searsport, for aggravated trafficking schedule W drugs.
Agents also arrested Yandril Mateo-Nunez, 20, and Nelkis Alexander Villalona-Perez, 22, of Lawrence, Massachusetts. Both were charged with aggravated trafficking of schedule W drugs, class A.
As a result of the search agents seized $4390 in suspected drug proceeds, 70 grams of methamphetamine, 24 grams of cocaine, and 2 firearms.
Agents then executed the search warrant at 22 Homestead Lane with the aid of the Maine State Police Tactical Team, the Waldo County Sheriff’s Office and Searsport Police Department. As a result of the undercover buys at this location MDEA arrested David Hersom, 65, and Melissa Dyer, 47, both of Searsport. As a result of the search agents located 28 firearms and 29 grams of methamphetamine.
The estimated street value of the Drugs is $12,400.
Ward, Mateo-Nunez, Villalona-Perez, Hersom, and Dyer are currently being held at the Waldo County Jail awaiting their initial appearance in court.
All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Maine State Police Investigating Crash on I-95 in Waterville
WATERVILLE—On Wednesday, March 11, 2026, at approximately 5:38 a.m., the Maine State Police responded to a two-vehicle crash on I-95 in Waterville. Preliminary details of the scene indicate a vehicle driven by 41-year-old Raymond Fenderson, of Brunswick, was merging onto I-95 northbound off of the mile marker 130 on ramp from Waterville when Fenderson collided with a motorist who was traveling northbound on I-95.
Fenderson’s vehicle crashed head-on into the guardrail on the median side and Fenderson became entrapped in the vehicle. Crews from Waterville-Fire and Rescue responded and worked to extricate Fenderson from the vehicle, ultimately freeing him after approximately 30 minutes. Raymond sustained serious injuries that are considered non-life threatening and was transported by Waterville Fire to a local hospital. No other injuries were reported.
The preliminary investigation indicates impairment is a likely factor. The crash remains under investigation. The passing lane on I-95 was shut down for the duration of time it took emergency responders to remove Raymond and clear the wreckage from the roadway. The Maine State Police was assisted by the Waterville Fire Department and Dostie’s Towing.
Fire Marshal’s Office Investigating Arson Fires in Fort Fairfield
FORT FAIRFIELD—On Tuesday, March 10, 2026, at 6:15 p.m., Fort Fairfield Fire Rescue was called to a structure fire in the area of the park and ride on Park Street in Fort Fairfield. Responding crews were able to determine there was smoke coming from the old public works garage at 61 Park Street.
The Fire Marshal’s Office (FMO) was requested to respond to assist with an origin and cause investigation. A team of FMO investigators responded to begin an investigation. With the assistance of the Fort Fairfield Police Department, Investigators were able to locate two individuals suspected to be involved.
Through the course of this investigation, it was determined that there had been another fire set in an unoccupied home a short time before the fire at 61 Park Street. Fort Fairfield Fire Rescue and Investigators were able to locate the second scene at 9 Park Street.
Both fires were determined to be incendiary in nature and are considered Arson. 19-year-old Leo Rideout Jr., of Fort Fairfield, was arrested and charged with arson. He was transported to the Aroostook County Jail.
On Friday, March 13, 2026, at 11:30 a.m., investigators from the Maine Fire Marshal’s Office arrested a juvenile male for arson in connection with the two fires that occurred on Park Street in Fort Fairfield on March 10, 2026. Working with the Juvenile Community Corrections Officer, the juvenile was placed on conditions of release and released to his guardians. This investigation is still on going and additional charges are still pending.
Maine Drug Enforcement Arrest Lamoine Woman for Aggravated Drug Trafficking
ELLSWORTH—On Thursday, March 12, 2026, agents assigned to the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency Downeast Drug Task Force based in Ellsworth were conducting surveillance outside a local business and observed activity consistent with drug trafficking. With assistance from the Ellsworth Police Department, a motor vehicle stop was conducted on Bayside Road in Ellsworth.
At the time of the traffic stop, Gabrielle Battis, 28, of Lamoine, was on pre-conviction bail following her arrest on June 2, 2025, for class B unlawful trafficking in fentanyl. Officers with the Ellsworth Police Department and MDEA agents conducted a search of the vehicle pursuant to the conditions of her release.
The following was seized: 10ggw (gross-gross weight) of fentanyl, 2ggw of methamphetamine, 1ggw of cocaine base, 0.8ggw of cocaine HCL and $2,872 in suspected drug proceeds.
Battis was arrested for class A aggravated trafficking in schedule W drugs and violation of conditions of release. Battis was transported to the Hancock County Jail without incident. The charges are aggravated by the weight of fentanyl seized. No bail was set.
Agents were assisted in the investigation by the Ellsworth Police Department.
The MDEA stands committed to working with all federal, state, county, and local law enforcement partners in order to continue to identify and disrupt drug trafficking organizations who are attempting to distribute illicit drugs in the State of Maine.
All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
If you suffer with substance use disorder please call 211 or text your zip code to 898-211 for a list of resources available in your area.
If you have information about this investigation or the illegal sale of drugs in your community, you are urged to contact the Maine Drug Enforcement office closest to you or by texting MDEA to TIP411 (847411) or by calling the MDEA tip-line at 1-800-452-6457.
Maine State Police Bomb Squad Safely Neutralizes Suspected Grenade in Limington
LIMINGTON—On Monday, March 16, 2026, at approximately 5:30 p.m., the Augusta Regional Communications Center received a report from an individual near the Number 1 Road in Limington who stated they had found what they believed to be a grenade near a dumpster along the roadway.
Troopers from the Southern Field Troop responded and identified the object as a potentially hazardous device and requested the assistance of the Maine State Police Bomb Squad.
Technicians responded to the scene and attempted to X-ray the item; however, they were unable to determine the exact status of the energetic material inside. Out of an abundance of caution, the item was countercharged on site and deemed safe. A photo of the item is attached. The device closely resembles a military-style M67 hand grenade, though it appeared to have been altered.
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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