Police updates for Bar Harbor, Mount Desert, Southwest Harbor, Tremont, State Police, and Hancock County Sheriff’s Department.
Apr 07, 2026
The Bar Harbor Story is generously sponsored by the Maine Seacoast Mission.
MAINE—Four year trends show that crime in Maine has decreased, and despite the fact that the amount of people on Mount Desert Island greatly increases in the summer season, Mount Desert Island police departments had lower than the state average crime rates per 1,000 residents.
The current data can’t be compared to data from before 2021. That’s because of different crime reporting rules. Crimes that were once bundled under one category such as “theft” are now separated. Law enforcement officials can also add incidents and revise previously included incidents for up to two years after they were reported.
In 2024, there were 42,559 recorded crimes in the state. Most were property crimes (25,258). There were 12,586 reported crimes against persons for the state. The total crime rate for Maine is 28.83 per 1,000.
For violent crimes such as murder, sexual assault, aggravated assault and robbery there were 1,374 reported crimes. This is a rate of .93 per 1,000 Maine residents.
When it comes to local statistics, the overall crime rate for the Bar Harbor and Mount Desert PD was 9.03 per 1,000 residents. Southwest Harbor’s was 18.93 and Hancock County’s was 8.15. Ellsworth’s is 69. The state’s crime rate is 28.83.
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 30, 2026
Sgt. Doug Brundrett received a report of an Acadia National Park ranger locating a vehicle parked near the Cadillac Mountain Entrance in Bar Harbor that was unoccupied but had an open door. The ranger located the vehicle’s owner prior to Sgt. Brundrett’s arrival.
Sgt. Brundrett spoke with a Mount Desert resident about ongoing issues with speeders on the Jordan Pond Road in Seal Harbor.
Officer Amie Torrey received a report of a man in Bar Harbor who does not have a license but was reportedly going to drive. Officer Torrey determined that the man never left his driveway.
Officer Troy Stanwood took a report of suspicious activity in Bar Harbor.
Sgt. Brundrett performed a taxi inspection for permitting purposes in Bar Harbor.
Officer Elias Burne provided a ride for someone in Bar Harbor at the person’s request.
A contractor reported being harassed by a former contractor at a Bar Harbor job site to Sgt. Brundrett.
Officer Stanwood fingerprinted someone for employment purposes at the Bar Harbor Police Department.
Someone in Bar Harbor reported suspicious online activity to Officer Stanwood who documented the information.
Following a traffic stop in Bar Harbor, Officer Nathan Formby arrested James Butler, 19, of Mount Desert, for operating without a license. Butler was transported to the Hancock County Jail.
Officer Judson Cake served a man in Bar Harbor with a protection order on behalf of the Hancock County Sheriff’s Office.
Mental Health Liaison Melissa Gleason spoke to a Bar Harbor resident who had concerns for a friend.
After receiving a report of a vehicle in Bar Harbor being operated with excessive noise, Officer Virginia Helton patrolled the area but could not find any issues.
Tuesday, March 31, 2026
Officer Burne is investigating a report of a vehicle passing a stopped school bus that had its red lights flashing on Route 3 in Bar Harbor.
Officer Torrey provided a ride for someone in Bar Harbor at the person’s request.
Officer Burne took a report of a parking issue in Town Hill.
Someone made a report of geese being hunted on a Mount Desert property. The complaint was referred to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Agency and the Maine Warden Service. The warden service determined that geese had been shot.
MHL Gleason spoke with someone in Bar Harbor who was experiencing personal distress.
Officer Stanwood provided an escort to someone in Bar Harbor.
Officer Torrey is investigating a Department of Health and Human Services referral in Mount Desert.
Officer Burne investigated a possible sex offender registry violation in Bar Harbor.
Officer Torrey conducted a requested well-being check on a juvenile in Mount Desert and found her to be fine.
Wednesday, April 1, 2026
Officers responded to a trespassing complaint in Bar Harbor, warned the person that was trespassing, and removed them from the property.
Officer Kaleb Payson took a report of suspicious activity in Bar Harbor.
Sgt. Chris Dickens performed three taxi inspections, two in Bar Harbor and one in Mount Desert.
Sgt. Dickens escorted an employee of the Bar Harbor finance department to the bank.
A reported injury to a child is being investigated in Bar Harbor.
Officer Payson took a report of suspicious activity in Bar Harbor.
Officer Ted Cake took a report of traffic being backed up along Sound Drive in Mount Desert due to construction and spoke with the construction foreman who rectified the situation.
Thursday, April 2, 2026
Officer Liam Harrington received a report of construction debris in the roadway in Bar Harbor.
Chief David Kerns performed a limo inspection in Bar Harbor.
After speaking with a Bar Harbor resident who was concerned about unauthorized access to their property, Sgt. Dickens asked patrol staff to monitor the area.
Sgt. Soren Sundberg assisted another law enforcement agency in Trenton.
Officer Zack Kline summoned Taylor Croteau, 34, of Bangor for operating after suspension in Bar Harbor.
Friday, April 3, 2026
Officer Stanwood conducted a civil standby in Bar Harbor.
Sgt. Dickens assisted someone with sex offender registry paperwork in Bar Harbor.
Sgt. Dickens gave someone a ride to their residence in Bar Harbor from MDI Hospital.
Officer Formby responded to a fire in Mount Desert but the fire was extinguished prior to his arrival.
Following a traffic stop in Trenton, Officer Formby summoned William Kelley, 19, no hometown given, for illegal transportation of liquor by a minor.
Saturday, April 4, 2026
Following a traffic stop in Bar Harbor, Officer Formby arrested Taylor Hale, 23, of Texas, for operating under the influence. Hale was transported to the Hancock County Jail.
MHL Gleason participated in the Hancock County food drive at Hannaford in Bar Harbor.
After receiving an erratic driver complaint in Bar Harbor, Officer Stanwood passed it along to a neighboring agency because he was out of position to intercept the vehicle.
Sunday, April 5, 2026
Officer Torrey spoke with a Mount Desert resident regarding some ongoing issues.
Officer Stanwood responded to a parking issue in the area of Norway Drive 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 30, 2026
The Southwest Harbor Police Department received a report of an injured Canada goose in Tremont and transferred the call to the Maine Warden Service.
Officer Kristen Roulet received a request to check on a juvenile in Southwest Harbor who had not shown up for school. Officer Roulet located the student at home because they were sick.
Officer Roulet assisted on a medical call in Southwest Harbor.
After receiving a complaint regarding dump trucks driving on a posted road in Southwest Harbor, Officer Roulet contacted the workers and advised them of the road posting.
Someone reported a vehicle that was having an issue with staying in the travel lane and Officer Roulet waited for the vehicle near the Southwest Harbor town line but did not see it.
Officer Roulet located a reported loose dog around the Clark Point Road area in Southwest Harbor and reunited it with its owner.
While conducting property checks in Tremont, Officer Roulet found an unsecured door at the Tremont Town Office. Officer Roulet made sure that everything was all set and secured the door.
After receiving a complaint in Tremont regarding a vehicle that was going out of the travel lane, Officer Roulet responded, met with the complaint, and located the suspect vehicle but it was parked and unoccupied.
Tuesday, March 31, 2026
Officer Bradley Russell received a complaint regarding. dog that was loose in Tremont and notified the Tremont Animal Control Officer.
Someone from Tremont called the Southwest Harbor Police Department and advised them that their dog was missing.
Wednesday, April 1, 2026
Sgt. Rick Graham conducted a requested well-being check on a Tremont resident and after making contact with the person to be checked on, they were transported to the hospital.
Thursday, April 2, 2026
After receiving a complaint regarding a vehicle that was parked on a public roadway near the complainant’s residence in Tremont, Officer Roulet checked on the vehicle but it was gone prior to her arriving.
Officer Roulet responded to a call about someone in a wheelchair attempting to go up a steep hill in Southwest Harbor and possibly needing assistance but the person was gone when she arrived.
Friday, April 3, 2026
The Southwest Harbor Police Department assisted the Bar Harbor Police Department with a threat complaint at MDI High School in Bar Harbor.
Officer Russell performed a requested well-being check on someone in Southwest Harbor and found them to be all set.
After receiving a 911 call from a driver in Tremont who thought that they had struck a bird, Officer Russell responded but was unable to find the possibly injured bird.
Saturday, April 4, 2026
Sgt. Graham performed a requested well-being check on someone in Southwest Harbor and found them to be fine.
Sgt, Graham looked for a vehicle that was the subject of a motor vehicle complaint in Somesville and was supposedly heading toward Southwest Harbor but never saw the vehicle.
A Southwest Harbor resident reported a possibly abandoned vehicle parked in front of his house. Sgt. Graham responded and found that the vehicle was owned by a local resident attending a rally and the vehicle was gone as soon as the rally was over.
Sunday, April 5, 2026
No reportable incidents.
Monday, April 6, 2026
Officer Roulet received information about a possible violation of conditions of release violation that was currently occurring. Officer Roulet notified all of the area agencies of the information.
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.
Maine State Police Investigating Fatal Crash on I-95 in Newport
NEWPORT—On Tuesday, March 31, 2026, at approximately 11:36 p.m., the Maine State Police received multiple reports of a vehicle stopped in the northbound travel lane of Interstate 95 near mile marker 157 in Newport. While troopers were responding to the reports, additional information was received indicating a crash had occurred involving the same vehicle and a tractor-trailer.
The preliminary investigation determined that a 2013 Chevrolet Volt, operated by 33-year-old Juan Guallpa, of Lempster, New Hampshire, was stationary in the northbound travel lane when it was struck from behind by a 2021 Freightliner. The impact pushed the Chevrolet Volt into the median. The tractor-trailer also entered the median, where it rolled onto its passenger side and came to rest across both southbound lanes of travel. Guallpa was pronounced deceased at the scene. The driver of the tractor-trailer sustained minor injuries and was transported to Sebasticook Valley Hospital for treatment.
At this time, it remains unknown why Guallpa’s vehicle was stopped in the travel lane. Both northbound and southbound lanes of Interstate 95 were shut down following the crash, and traffic was diverted. The northbound lanes were reopened at approximately 3:00 a.m. Southbound traffic remained reduced to one lane as crews worked to remove the tractor-trailer. Cleanup and removal efforts were expected to take approximately eight hours.
Anyone with information related to this crash is asked to contact Trooper Joshua Staples at 207-973-3700, extension 9.
Maine State Police Investigating Multi-Vehicle Crash in Yarmouth
YARMOUTH—On Friday, April 3, 2026, at approximately 7:00 a.m., troopers responded to a crash on Interstate 295 northbound near mile marker 16 in Yarmouth. The initial crash involved a single vehicle that left the roadway and came to rest in the median. Two passing vehicles stopped on the median shoulder to assist the driver of the crashed vehicle. While those individuals were outside their vehicles, another vehicle traveling northbound struck the two stopped vehicles pushing one of them into the original vehicle in the median. The striking vehicle then became fully engulfed in flames.
All individuals involved were able to exit their vehicles safely, and no injuries were reported.
Troopers worked the scene with the Yarmouth Police Department, Yarmouth Fire/Rescue, and the Maine Department of Transportation. The scene was cleared within approximately one hour of the initial 911 call. The crash remains under investigation. No additional information is available at this time.
Maine State Police Investigating Crash on Turnpike Involving MTA Maintenance Vehicle
CUMBERLAND—On Friday, April 3, 2026, at approximately 9:07 a.m., a Maine Turnpike Authority maintenance employee reported being rear-ended shortly after entering his truck, having just completed roadside debris cleanup on southbound I-95 at mile marker 57 in Cumberland.
Troopers responding to the scene observed a 2023 white Toyota Corolla with significant front-end damage blocking the right lane. The maintenance employee’s green 2020 GMC pickup truck was located in a ditch, suffering extensive rear-end damage. The Toyota was operated by 26-year-old Eric Sullivan, of Lewiston. The preliminary investigation indicates Sullivan may have fallen asleep while traveling in the right lane, veered into the breakdown lane, and collided with the maintenance vehicle, which had its green and amber warning lights activated.
The maintenance employee, identified as 61-year-old Robert Brown, of Poland, sustained minor injuries, and was transported to Maine Medical Center in Portland. Sullivan was not injured.
Traffic was reduced to one lane for nearly an hour while crews worked to clear the scene. Sullivan was cited for driving to endanger and other motor vehicle violations. The crash remains under investigation.
Maine State Police Investigating Crash in Howland
HOWLAND—On Friday, April 3, 2026, at approximately 5:02 a.m., troopers responded to a single vehicle crash on I-95 at mile marker 220 northbound in Howland. The vehicle, 2024 Freightliner box truck, was on its side approximately 50 feet off the roadway, into the trees when state police arrived.
The operator, 55-year-old Kwasi Baidu, of Bangor, was trapped in the cab and extricated by Howland Fire and EMS and was transported to Eastern Maine Medical Center with minor injuries. Speed and snow/rain conditions were likely factors in the crash. Lane two was closed for several hours while the vehicle was removed from the tree line. Howland Fire and EMS and Union Street Towing assisted on scene.
Improper Use of Crossover on I-295 leads to Chain Reaction Crash
YARMOUTH—On Friday, April 3, 2026, at approximately 4:18 p.m., troopers responded to a report of a multi-vehicle crash on Interstate 295 southbound in Yarmouth. Following a preliminary investigation, troopers determined the crash occurred after a vehicle traveling southbound used an “authorized vehicles only” crossover to enter the northbound lanes, resulting in a chain-reaction crash involving four vehicles. The operator of the vehicle that caused the crash left the scene.
A witness was able to provide troopers with a photograph of the vehicle, a black 2026 Jeep Compass, including its registration plate. That information allowed Troopers to identify the vehicle and its owner. The operator was identified as 31-year-old Emily-Ann Kittredge, of Lyndonville, Vermont. She was located in Portland and charged with leaving the scene of an accident and other motor vehicle violations. No injuries were reported. The roadway was cleared quickly, and all lanes were reopened to traffic.
*Authorized vehicle crossovers are for official emergency and maintenance use only. Unauthorized use creates significant safety risks for all motorists.
Fire Marshal’s Office Investigating Fatal Fire in Readfield
READFIELD—On Friday, April 3, 2026, at approximately 9:51 p.m., the Readfield Fire Department responded to a reported house fire at 421 Plains Road in Readfield. Upon arrival, firefighters found the residence heavily involved in fire. Neighbors were assisting an occupant, 74-year-old Jerrold Wentworth who escaped from a second-floor window. Mr. Wentworth advised firefighters that his wife, 75-year-old Carolyn Wentworth remained inside the home on the second floor. Due to heavy fire conditions, firefighters were unable to make entry to attempt a rescue.
The Office of the State Fire Marshal was notified and responded to the scene with a team of investigators. After an extended search, investigators located a deceased victim in the debris Saturday at approximately 1:45 a.m., in the area where Carolyn Wentworth had been sleeping. The deceased was transported to the Office of Chief Medical Examiner in Augusta for positive identification and determination of cause of death.
Jerrold Wentworth is currently in serious condition at Maine General Medical Center in Augusta. Fire investigators returned to the scene later Saturday to conduct additional examination and interview neighbors as part of the ongoing effort to determine the origin and cause of the fire. The investigation remains ongoing. 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 cited, all photos courtesy of the Maine Department of Public Safety.
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