Police updates for Bar Harbor, Mount Desert, Southwest Harbor, Tremont, State Police and Hancock County Sheriff’s Department.
Mar 24, 2026
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BAR HARBOR—On Sunday, March 22, 2026, at approximately 11:45 a.m., a juvenile, no age or hometown given, was driving a 2002 Toyota pickup in the area of 289 Eagle Lake Road in Bar Harbor.
The roads had become snow covered and slippery and the vehicle went off the road, and rolled onto its side into the ditch on the right hand side of the road.
According to an accident press release by Sgt. Soren Sundberg, the juvenile driver stated that “they started to skid due to snowy road conditions and next thing they knew they were in the ditch.”
The driver received minor injuries and was checked by ambulance personnel on scene but refused transport to the hospital.
There was enough damage to the vehicle to meet reporting the threshold set by the State of Maine and the vehicle was towed out of the ditch and away from the scene by DC Towing.
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 16, 2026
A motor vehicle complaint was made in Bar Harbor. Officer Lukas Keene located the involved vehicle a short time later and spoke with the driver about his driving behavior.
Sgt. Chris Dickens assisted the Maine Warden Service by collecting a dead owl form the area of Route 102 in Mount Desert.
Sgt. Dickens helped catch a loose dog in Somesville.
A woman from Bar Harbor reported to Officer Amie Torrey a possible scam.
After locking herself out of her apartment, a woman in Bar Harbor asked for help from the police department but was able to get back in before an officer could arrive.
Following a report of a tree blocking the Eagle Lake Road and Cromwell Harbor Road intersection in Bar Harbor, Sgt. Dickens responded and the Bar Harbor Highway Department removed the tree.
Officer Torrey looked for a vehicle that was the subject of a motor vehicle complaint in Bar Harbor but could not find it.
Officer Nathan Formby responded to a complaint regarding an improperly parked vehicle in Bar Harbor, located the owner, and had the vehicle moved.
Tuesday, March 17, 2026
Following a report of trees and power lines in the roadway in Bar Harbor, Officer Virginia Helton notified the appropriate agencies to take care of the issues.
Following a report of a tree in the roadway in Mount Desert, Officer Helton notified the Mount Desert Highway Department to take care of the issues.
Officer Formby removed debris from the roadway in Mount Desert and notified Versant Power of power lines that were in a nearby tree.
Officer Ted Cake contacted Maine Department of Transportation to remove a tree from the roadway on Eagle Lake Road in Bar Harbor.
Following a motor vehicle complaint in Bar Harbor, Officer Helton responded but could not locate the involved vehicle.
Someone reported a tree down on Kimball Road in Northeast Harbor and Officer Torrey contacted the Mount Desert Highway Department to remove it.
Officer Torrey performed a well-being check on a “Good Morning Program” participant in Mount Desert and found her to be fine.
Mental Health Liaison Melissa Gleason assisted a Bar Harbor resident with stressful life circumstances.
Officer Troy Stanwood responded to a motor vehicle complaint in Bar Harbor and warned the driver for their operation.
A Mount Desert man reported that his dog had run off, but he called back a short time later to say that the dog had returned.
After responding to a report of a broken-down vehicle in a private parking lot in Bar Harbor, Officer Formby gave the vehicle owner a ride home.
Someone reported that they were concerned about a dog left unattended in a vehicle in Bar Harbor. Officer Formby responded and contacted the owner who left with the vehicle and dog a short time later.
Wednesday, March 18, 2026
Officer T. Cake assisted someone who requested an escort in Bar Harbor.
Officer Liam Harrington caught a reported loose dog in the parking lot of a Mount Desert business parking lot. The dog was later reunited with its owner.
After receiving a report of an unsecured door at a closed Bar Harbor business, Officer T. Cake checked the business, found it to be empty, and notified a key holder.
Officer Zack Kline served paperwork to a Mount Desert resident.
Thursday, March 19, 2026
Officer Kaleb Payson took a report of a loose dog in Bar Harbor and the dog was reunited with its owner.
Sgt. Dickens and Officer Harrington conducted ride-alongs in Bar Harbor with college students who were participating in a “locally based block of instruction.”
Friday, March 20, 2026
Officer Stanwood provided emergency lighting to slow down traffic at the school crossing on Eden Street in Bar Harbor during an early release day.
Officer Torrey responded to a report of a dog in the road in Mount Desert but failed to locate the dog.
Officer Stanwood dispatched a turkey that had been struck by a vehicle in Bar Harbor.
Officers responded to a structure fire in Otter Creek along with the Bar Harbor, Mount Desert, and Tremont Fire Departments.
Officers responded to a report of people stuck in an elevator at Rodick Lorraine in Bar Harbor.
Saturday, March 21, 2026
Officer Formby contacted someone in Mount Desert on behalf of the Piscataquis County Sheriff’s Department.
Following a vehicle stop in Bar Harbor, Officer Formby arrested Cassie Minctons, 35, of Ellsworth, for operating under the influence and operating after suspension. Minctons was transported to the Hancock County Jail.
A Bar Harbor business reported issues with accessing its building and Sgt. Sundberg contacted a key holder for the building who was able to take care of the issue.
Sunday, March 22, 2026
After receiving a report of an open door at an abandoned building in Bar Harbor, Officer Formby checked the building and found no evidence of criminal activity.
Sgt. Sundberg is investigating a reported assault in Bar Harbor.
Officer Stanwood checked on someone whose vehicle had broken down on Eden Street in Bar Harbor.
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, March 16, 2026
Officer Bradley Russell took a report of an open door on a residence in Southwest Harbor. After responding and speaking with the homeowner, Officer Russell determined that the door must have been blown open by the wind.
Officer Russell was asked to perform a well-being check on a juvenile in Southwest Harbor and spoke with the parents who had contacted the juvenile.
Officer Russell received a complaint about trucks driving on posted roads in Southwest Harbor.
While heading to Tremont to assist another agency, Officer Russell was told that he could disregard.
After receiving information about a vehicle that was the subject of a motor vehicle complaint and possibly heading to Southwest Harbor, Officer Russell looked for the vehicle and later learned that it had been located in another jurisdiction.
Tuesday, March 17, 2026
Following a report of a verbal dispute in Tremont, Officer Russell responded, spoke with the people involved, and issued them warnings for disorderly conduct.
Someone reported a power line down on a Southwest Harbor roadway and Officer Russell had to close the road and redirect traffic until the power line was moved.
While Sgt. Rick Graham was on patrol in Tremont, he heard an audible alarm coming from a business. It was a high-water alarm for the sewage system and Sgt. Graham notified the owner.
Wednesday, March 18, 2026
Officer Kristen Roulet received a report of a speeding vehicle on the Seawall Road in Southwest Harbor but could not locate the vehicle when she responded.
A construction company called the Southwest Harbor Police Department and advised that they had recently terminated an employee who had been showing up on job sites to harass other employees. Officer Roulet told the complainant to call back when the ex-employee showed up again.
Someone called the Southwest Harbor Police Department requesting a tow truck and the caller was given the number for a tow company.
Following a report of someone walking on the side of the road in Tremont and the caller saying that they were concerned for the pedestrian, Officer Roulet could not find anyone walking who matched the given description.
Officer Roulet performed a well-being check on a Good Morning Program participant and found them to be all set.
MDI High School requested that an officer check the well-being of a juvenile in Southwest Harbor. Officer Roulet checked on the juvenile and found them to be fine.
A “frantic senior citizen” called the Southwest Harbor Police Department because the lights had gone out at the Plaza Laundromat. Officer Roulet responded, comforted the woman, and delivered her laundry to her residence for her.
Officer Roulet assisted the Department of Health and Human Services with doing a home visit.
After someone reported an incident that had occurred earlier in the day on someone else’s property in Tremont, Officer Roulet spoke with everyone involved and found everyone to be all set.
Thursday, March 19, 2026
Officer Roulet assisted the Southwest Harbor Fire Department with a possible fire on Seawall Road in Southwest Harbor.
Officer Roulet, in her role as school resource officer, was at the Tremont Consolidated School to assist with greeting incoming students and parents for school screenings.
Officer Russell received a report from a Tremont resident that their dogs had run off while they were trying to bathe them. The dogs were found and taken home.
Friday, March 20, 2026
Sgt. Graham spoke at a meeting of the Southwest Harbor/Tremont Chamber of Commerce.
Sgt. Graham served paperwork to a Southwest Harbor resident on behalf of the Ellsworth Police Department.
Sgt. Graham assisted a Southwest Harbor resident with gaining access to their apartment.
A family member requested a well-being check on a Tremont resident and while performing the check, Sgt. Graham located the person deceased of apparent natural causes.
After receiving a complaint regarding dirt bikes being operated at a fast speed on a private road in Tremont, Sgt. Graham responded but could not locate the dirt bikes.
Someone reported that a vehicle was doing doughnuts on the grass by Googs Pond in Southwest Harbor but had left the area. No registration plate information was given and when Sgt. Graham arrived, he determined that the vehicle had only backed onto the grass and caused only minor damage.
A Southwest Harbor resident reported a trespasser on their property. The person trespassing showed up at the police station to explain their actions and Sgt. Graham relayed this information to the complainant. The complainant did not wish to pursue charges.
Saturday, March 21, 2026
Officer Roulet served a no trespass warning to a Southwest Harbor resident on the behalf of the Hancock County Sheriff’s Department.
Following a report of visible smoke in the area of 24 Village Way in Southwest Harbor, Officer Roulet determined that the people had a burn permit and were all set.
A Southwest Harbor resident requested that a Trenton resident be served with a no trespass warning. Officer Roulet sent the warning to the Hancock County Sheriff’s Department to be served.
Sunday, March 22, 2026
After receiving a report of a stray dog in Southwest Harbor, Officer Russell responded and found that another resident had already caught the dog and was in the process of taking it back to its residence.
Officer Russell responded to a business alarm at a Southwest Harbor business. Officer Russell found nothing out of the ordinary and spoke to a key holder for the business when they arrived.
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 Fire in Waterville
WATERVILLE—Investigators with the State Fire Marshal’s Office responded to 3 Aubrey Street in Waterville shortly after 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, March 17, 2026, at the request of the Waterville Fire Department for a reported structure fire. Investigators arrived on scene and conducted an origin and cause investigation along with interviews.
The fire was contained to the enclosed porch of the residence causing only minor smoke damage inside the home. The porch sustained heavy fire damage.
Investigators concluded the fire was a result of the improper disposal of oil-based staining rags placed in a trash bag. When confined, staining rags can spontaneously combust and cause a fire. The Fire Marshal’s Office would like to remind everyone that staining rags should be disposed of safely, outside the residence or garage. It is recommended rags be submerged in a bucket of water or laid out flat to dry on a non-combustible surface such as a dirt or paved driveway.
Major Crimes Detectives Arrest Skowhegan Man in Connection to Augusta Homicide
AUGUSTA—On Monday, February 2, 2026, at approximately 11:15 p.m., the Augusta Police Department responded to a shooting at a residence on Flagg Street in Augusta. Upon arrival, officers located a deceased adult male. The Maine State Police Major Crimes Unit – Central responded to assist with the investigation.
The deceased was transported to the Office of Chief Medical Examiner in Augusta, where an autopsy was conducted. The cause of death has been determined to be a gunshot wound, and the manner of death a homicide. The deceased has been identified as 51-year-old Billyjack Curtis, of Augusta.
On Wednesday, March 18, 2026, at approximately 2:14 p.m., the Maine State Police Major Crimes Unit-Central arrested 30-year-old Edward Longley, of Skowhegan, in Skowhegan. Longley has been charged with murder and elevated aggravated assault.
A second victim, 40-year-old Sherry Gilley, of Brunswick, was also injured during the shooting. She was initially transported to Maine General in Augusta and later transferred to Maine Medical Center in Portland. She was released and is currently recovering from her injuries.
Longley was transported to the Somerset County Jail where he is being held without bail. No further details will be released at this time.
Fire Marshal’s Office Investigating Building Fire in Limestone
LIMESTONE—The Limestone Fire Department responded to a report of a fully involved structure fire at 302 Main Street in Limestone during the early morning hours of Wednesday, March 18, 2026. Fire crews arrived on scene at approximately 1:44 a.m., and observed a potato storage building fully engulfed in flames. Crews remained on scene working to suppress the fire until approximately 3:57 a.m.
Investigators from the Office of the State Fire Marshal responded to conduct an origin and cause investigation. Based on the scene examination and information obtained from the property owners, the fire is believed to have originated due to a failure within the building’s heating system. The building, owned by Butler Farms, is considered a total loss. There were no reported injuries.
Fire Marshal’s Office Investigating Fatal Fire in Winn
WINN—On Thursday, March 19, 2026, at approximately 1:28 a.m., the Lincoln Fire Department responded to a reported house fire at 1115 Route 168 in Winn.
Upon arrival, firefighters found the residence heavily involved in fire. Five occupants had escaped the home prior to the fire department’s arrival and reported that an elderly female remained inside the residence unaccounted for. Due to the report of a missing occupant, the Lincoln Fire Department requested assistance from the Office of the State Fire Marshal.
A team of fire marshal investigators responded to the scene to investigate the fire. At approximately 9:30 a.m., investigators located and removed a deceased female from the fire debris. The body has been transported to the Office of Chief Medical Examiner in Augusta to determine the cause of death and to positively identify the victim.
The other occupants of the home suffered smoke inhalation and were transported to a local hospital in Lincoln for evaluation. All individuals have since been treated and released. The cause of the fire remains under investigation. Additional information will be released as it becomes available.
Maine State Police Investigating Homicide in Lewiston
LEWISTON—On Friday, March 20, 2026, at approximately 1:26 a.m., the Lewiston-Auburn Communications Center received a 911 call reporting a shooting on Union Street in Lewiston. Lewiston Police responded to the scene and requested assistance from the Maine State Police. Upon arrival, officers located a female suffering from a gunshot wound.
The victim, identified as 22-year-old Maliyah Powell, of Lewiston, was transported to Central Maine Medical Center, where she later succumbed to her injuries. The deceased was transported to the Office of Chief Medical Examiner in Augusta, where an autopsy was performed. The cause of death was determined to be a gunshot wound and the manner of death homicide.
Detectives from the Maine State Police Major Crimes Unit South, along with evidence response technicians, processed the scene throughout the morning. As a result of the investigation 25-year-old Elise Bergeron, of Lewiston, was arrested and charged with murder. She was transported to the Androscoggin County Jail.
The investigation is being conducted by the Maine State Police Major Crimes Unit South, with assistance from the Lewiston Police Department. This remains an active and ongoing investigation. Anyone with information related to this incident is asked to contact the Maine State Police at 207-624-7076 option 9.
Fire Marshal’s Office Investigating Fire in Turner
TURNER—The Fire Marshal’s Office was called to assist in the investigation of a camper trailer fire at 63 Blake Road in Turner. Turner Fire Rescue received the call at approximately 2:23 a.m., on Friday, March 20, 2026. Upon arrival, crews found the camper trailer fully involved in flames.
The Fire Marshal’s Office responded to help determine the origin and cause of the fire. Preliminary information indicates the fire may have started in one of the camper’s bedrooms, though an exact cause has not yet been determined. Improper disposal of smoking materials cannot be ruled out as a potential factor. No injuries to people were reported however two cats died as a result of the fire. The investigation remains ongoing.
Maine State Police Bomb Squad Responds to Separate Incidents Involving Mortar Round and Grenade
BOWDOINHAM—On Saturday, March 21, 2026, at approximately 2:27 p.m., the Sagadahoc County Sheriff’s Office requested assistance from the Maine State Police Bomb Squad after they responded to a complaint of an individual who found a possible mortar round on their property on White Road in Bowdoinham.
Maine State Police Bomb Technicians Wing and Pescitelli arrived on scene and identified the item as an 81MM M374 mortar round. X-ray analyses showed indicators of the item being potentially hazardous. The round was removed from the residence to be rendered safe in a secure location.
WINSLOW—On Saturday, March 21, 2026, at approximately 3:36 p.m., the Winslow Fire and Police Department responded to a residence on Main Street for a report of a hand grenade that was located while the complainant was cleaning out the residence.
First responders requested the Maine State Police Bomb Squad and Technician Pina responded to the scene. The grenade was identified as a live standard MK2 hand grenade from the WWII or Korean War era. The grenade was removed from the residence and will be rendered safe in a secure location.
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 cited, all photos courtesy of the Maine Department of Public Safety.
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