Police updates for Bar Harbor, Mount Desert, Southwest Harbor, Tremont, State Police, and Hancock County Sheriff’s Department.
just now
The Bar Harbor Story is generously sponsored by Witham Family Hotels.
BAR HARBOR—On October 8, 2026, officers responded to a two-vehicle crash at the intersection of Route 198 and Route 102 in Mount Desert. Multiple callers were reporting the accident and several of those callers stated that one of the vehicles involved in the crash was attempting to leave the scene.
The vehicle that fled the scene was located a short time later and after investigating the circumstances, Officer Tim Frost arrested Gregory Michel, 58, of Southwest Harbor.
Michel was charged with operating under the influence, unauthorized use of property, operating without a license, and leaving the scene of a property damage crash.
There was no reported injury from anyone involved in the crash, but both vehicles had to be towed due to functional damages.
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, October 5, 2026
Sgt. Chris Dickens took a complaint regarding speeding vehicles in the area of the Route 102 and Gilbert Farm Road intersection in Bar Harbor and will be adding the area to the directed patrols roster.
Officer Ted Cake spoke with someone in Mount Desert about an ongoing trespassing complaint and issued a person two no-trespassing notices and one cease-harassment notice.
Sgt. Doug Brundrett responded to a downtown Bar Harbor business for the report of a suspicious bag and determined that there was nothing suspicious within the bag. The owner of the bag was contacted and retrieved the bag later in the day.
Sgt. Brundrett performed a vehicle identification number verification in Bar Harbor for a Florida resident.
Following a well-being check on a Bar Harbor resident by Officer Liam Harrington, the resident was connected to resources to assist them.
Sgt. Brundrett took a report of fraud from a Bar Harbor resident.
Officer Harrington is investigating a report of a possible violation of a protection order in Bar Harbor.
Tuesday, October 6, 2026
Officer T. Cake warned someone in Bar Harbor for failure to maintain control of a vehicle after the person was seen backing into a parked vehicle by a parking enforcement officer. There was no damage to either vehicle.
Someone turned some ammunition into the Bar Harbor Police Department for disposal.
Sgt. Jerrod Hardy responded to and investigated a report of a theft in Bar Harbor. Sgt. Hardy determined that the item had actually been misplaced, located the missing item, and returned it to its owner.
Officer Kaleb Payson assisted a Southwest Harbor Police Officer with a domestic disturbance call in Tremont.
Wednesday, October 7, 2026
Officer Zack Kline assisted a Bar Harbor resident with getting back into their apartment complex after they had become locked out.
Officer Frost assisted someone in Bar Harbor who is part of the Good Morning Program.
After receiving a 911 call about a motor vehicle crash that was believed to have occurred in Bar Harbor, the Bar Harbor Police Department discovered that the crash was actually on Interstate 95 in the town of Fairfield and notified the State Police.
Sgt. Brundrett responded to a parking complaint on Greeley Avenue in Bar Harbor, but the offending vehicle was gone when he arrived.
Officers are investigating a reported theft from a Bar Harbor business.
Sgt. Dickens performed a check-in with an out-of-state sex offender registrant in Bar Harbor.
After someone reported a parking violation on Norway Drive in Bar Harbor, Sgt. Hardy responded but could not locate any parking issues.
Officer Nathan Formby is investigating a report of fraud in Bar Harbor.
Officer Formby gave someone a ride from MDI Hospital in Bar Harbor to their vehicle.
Thursday, October 8, 2026
Officer Formby assisted the Mount Desert Fire Department on a medical call in Trenton.
Officer T. Cake is investigating some reported vandalism to town property in Mount Desert.
Officer Elias Burne received some law enforcement related information in Bar Harbor.
Officer Frost received a parking complaint on Hancock Street in Bar Harbor, but the situation resolved itself.
Officer Frost performed a well-being check on someone in Bar Harbor and found them to not have any concerns.
Officer Frost spoke with someone in Bar Harbor who has concerns for one of their fellow building tenants.
Officer Zach Alexander received a delayed report of a motor vehicle complaint that had occurred on the Eagle Lake Road in Mount Desert.
Officer Alexander performed a requested well-being check in Bar Harbor and the person stated that they were OK and did not need the police.
Officer Alexander assisted the Bar Harbor Fire Department on a fire sprinkler alarm call in Bar Harbor and the alarm was determined to be false.
Friday, October 9, 2026
Officer Alexander issued someone in Mount Desert a warning for a municipal ordinance violation.
Following an investigation based on a call for service in Mount Desert, Officer Formby summoned Nicholas Macculloch, 34, of Bar Harbor, for driving to endanger.
Officer Alexander responded to an animal complaint on Eden Street in Bar Harbor.
Sgt. Dickens spoke to someone in Bar Harbor regarding a municipal ordinance violation.
Following a motor vehicle stop in Bar Harbor, Officer Payson arrested Steven Richardson Jr., 26, of Clayton, New Jersey, for operating under the influence.
Officer Kline responded to a house party in Bar Harbor and substantiated a disorderly house event, issuing a warning to the residents.
Saturday, October 10, 2026
Sgt. Brundrett took a report of a dog at large in Bar Harbor and patrolled the area but failed to locate the dog.
Officer T. Cake assisted a motorist who had pulled off of the roadway in Bar Harbor and accidentally got stuck in a ditch. Officer T. Cake provided traffic control until a tow truck could pull the vehicle back onto the roadway.
Following a motor vehicle complaint, Officers located and stopped the subject vehicle in Mount Desert. Following an investigation, Robyn Ihmedan, 44, of Bar Harbor, was arrested for operating under the influence and terrorizing. Ihmedan was transported to the Hancock County Jail.
Sunday, October 11, 2026
Officer Justin Burnett responded to a report of a disorderly person in Bar Harbor, but upon his arrival, he learned that the suspect was gone and there were no further issues.
Officer T. Cake performed a well-being check on someone in Bar Harbor and found them to be all set.
Officers performed a requested well-being check on someone in Mount Desert and learned that they were just having phone issues.
Officer T. Cake looked for a vehicle that was the subject of a motor vehicle complaint in Trenton but could not locate it.
Officer Burnett provided emergency lighting for a motorist while they changed their tire in Bar Harbor.
Officer Burnett responded to a report of a vehicle in a no-parking zone in Bar Harbor.
Officer Burnett responded to a report of a parking dispute in Bar Harbor.
Officer Burnett responded to a report of a vehicle that required a tow truck 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, October 5, 2026
Officer Bradley Russell performed a well-being check on a member of the Good Morning Quietside program in Tremont and found them to be safe and healthy.
Officer Russell responded to a parking complaint in Southwest Harbor and was able to resolve the issue.
Following the report of a dead animal in a Tremont roadway, Officer Russell contacted the Maine Department of Transportation to remove the animal.
Tuesday, October 6, 2026
Officer Abigail Armistead received a motor vehicle complaint about a vehicle on Route 102 in Southwest Harbor but was unable to locate the vehicle.
Officer Armistead assisted the Southwest Harbor Fire Department with a call on Seawall Road in Southwest Harbor.
Officer Armistead issued someone a no-trespass warning for a private residence in Southwest Harbor.
Following a 911 call from Tremont, Officer Armistead arrested Amanda Murasso, no age given, no hometown given, for domestic violence assault.
Wednesday, October 7, 2026
Officer Armistead responded to a report of a road hazard caused by a spilled load near the intersection of Seawall Road and Main Street in Southwest Harbor, but the spill had been cleaned up prior to her arrival.
Chief John Hall responded to the Tremont Consolidated School in Tremont after a mother had accidentally locked her keys in her car along with her infant child who was sleeping in a car seat. Chief Hall was able to unlock the car.
Officer Eli Brown served a summons to a Tremont resident on behalf of the Piscataquis County Sheriff’s Department.
Following a complaint by a utility company, Officer Brown summoned Zachary Firestein, 40, of Southwest Harbor, for harassment by telephone or by electronic communication device.
Someone in Southwest Harbor reported a man with a walker who seemed to be struggling. Officers have met with the man twice before, and he does not want any help, according to Officer Brown.
After responding to a business alarm in Southwest Harbor, Officer Brown found a door wide open. Officer Brown cleared the building and then contacted the business owner who sent someone over to reset the alarm.
A Tremont resident failed to check in with the Southwest Harbor Police Department as is required by their conditions of release.
Officer Brown checked a building in Southwest Harbor and found it to be all set.
Thursday, October 8, 2026
Sgt. Rick Graham assisted the ambulance service with a medical call in Southwest Harbor.
Sgt. Graham searched for a vehicle in Southwest Harbor that had been involved in a hit and run crash in Somesville on behalf of the Bar Harbor Mount Desert Police Department but failed to find it as it was located in Mount Desert.
Sgt. Graham fingerprinted a Southwest Harbor resident at the Southwest Harbor Police Department due to recent criminal charges.
Following the report of a road rage incident in Tremont, Sgt. Graham responded and spoke with both vehicle drivers.
Officer Armistead received a motor vehicle complaint on Harbor Drive in Tremont.
Friday, October 9, 2026
Sgt. Graham assisted the ambulance service with a medical call in Southwest Harbor.
Sgt. Graham responded to Tremont to assist the harbormaster with a potential issue in Seal Cove but upon arrival, learned that there was no issue.
After a commercial business alarm activation in Southwest Harbor, Sgt. Graham checked the business and found it to be secure.
Saturday, October 10, 2026
Officer Armistead received a noise complaint from Clark Point Road in Southwest Harbor.
Officer Armistead worked a special detail for Oktoberfest at Archie’s Lobster in Tremont.
Officer Armistead received a parking complaint on Long Pond Road in Southwest Harbor.
Officer Armistead assisted the ambulance service with a medical call in Tremont.
Sunday, October 11, 2026
Officer Armistead assisted a Southwest Harbor resident who had locked themselves out of their residence.
Someone in Southwest Harbor reported being tailgated, but Sgt. Graham could not locate the offending vehicle.
Sgt. Graham performed a well-being check on a member of the Good Morning Quietside program in Tremont and found them to be safe and healthy.
Sgt. Graham handled a reported domestic disturbance and separated the people involved for the night.
Monday, October 12, 2026
Officer Russell attempted to perform a bail check on a Tremont resident, but the person to be checked on was not home.
Someone in Southwest Harbor reported another person who seemed to be lost and confused at a Southwest Harbor business. Officer Russell responded and was able to get the person back to their residence.
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 — (1) Indian Point Road
SOUTHWEST HARBOR — (3) Bass Harbor Road / Seal Cove Road / Location not given
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 Arrests Belfast Man in Connection with Stockton Springs Fatal
STOCKTON SPRINGS—On Monday, October 5, 2026, Maine State Police arrested 42-year-old Adam Sorrentino, of Belfast, in connection with an April 13, 2026, fatal crash on Route 1 in Stockton Springs. The crash resulted in the death of 77-year-old Anne Pomroy, of Old Orchard Beach.
The investigation determined that Sorrentino was traveling at a speed in excess of 80 mph and had a blood alcohol concentration more than twice the legal limit at the time of the crash. Investigators allege Sorrentino crossed the centerline and struck Pomroy’s vehicle head-on, resulting in her death.
Sorrentino was arrested at his Belfast home on October 5, 2026, and charged with manslaughter, aggravated criminal OUI-death resulting, reckless conduct with a dangerous Weapon, driving to endanger, OUI, and criminal speed.
Sorrentino was transported to the Waldo County Jail. The investigation remains ongoing. Anyone who witnessed the crash or has information about the incident is asked to contact Maine State Trooper Ryan Nadeau at (207) 624-7076 ext. 9.
Maine State Police Investigating Fatal Crash in Hollis
HOLLIS—On Tuesday, October 6, 2026, at approximately 3:01 p.m., Maine State Police responded to a single-vehicle crash on Bar Mills Road in Hollis. The initial investigation indicates a 2027 Kia Telluride was traveling westbound on Bar Mills Road when it left the roadway, continued into a ditch, rolled over and struck a tree. The operator, 34-year-old Amber Bowie, of Hollis, was pronounced deceased at the scene.
Bar Mills Road was closed for approximately two and a half hours while crews responded to the crash and conducted a investigation. Traffic was detoured during that time.
The Hollis and Buxton Fire Departments and the Buxton Police Department assisted at the scene. The crash remains under investigation.
Maine State Police Investigating two-vehicle crash in Hancock
HANCOCK—On Tuesday, October 6, 2026, at approximately 2:27 p.m., Maine State Police responded to a two-vehicle crash on Route 1 in Hancock. The initial investigation indicates a Ford Bronco operated by 53-year-old Amy Houck, of Steuben, was traveling eastbound when it was struck from behind by a Hyundai Sonata operated by 36-year-old Nicholas McAfee, of North Little Rock, Arkansas. The impact caused the Bronco to roll over.
The Sonata continued off the roadway, crossed a small field and struck a tree. A passenger in the Bronco, 66-year-old Cathy Grant, of Milbridge, was transported to a local hospital with serious injuries. A passenger in the Sonata was transported for non-life-threatening injuries sustained in the crash. Houck and Nicholas McAfee sustained minor injuries. Route 1 was closed for several hours while the crash was investigated and reconstructed. The crash remains under investigation.
MDEA Arrests Brooks Woman for Drug Trafficking
BROOKS—For the past several months, the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency Mid-Coast District Task Force and the Waldo County Sheriff’s Office have been conducting a drug investigation in Brooks. This investigation included undercover purchases of cocaine from Aimee Brown, 41, of Brooks.
On Wednesday, October 7, 2026, MDEA agents conducted surveillance on Brown in anticipation of arresting her on charges resulting from the undercover purchases. Brown was stopped in Burnham after agents positively identified her as the sole occupant/operator of a Subaru Outback.
Once the vehicle was stopped agents placed her under arrest for two counts of trafficking schedule W drugs and one count of violation of conditions of release and conducted a search of the vehicle pursuant to the arrest. No contraband or evidence was seized from the vehicle, however, Brown indicated that she was secreting drugs on/in her person.
Brown was transported to the Waldo County Correctional Facility where she voluntarily turned over the drugs. Agents seized 83 grams of cocaine and 20 grams of suspected fentanyl.
No bail was allowed as Brown had been released after an earlier indictment charging her with unlawful trafficking schedule W drugs and conspiracy to traffick schedule W drugs.
More arrests are anticipated in this case.
All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
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 like fentanyl, cocaine, and methamphetamine in the State of Maine.
If you or someone you know suffers from 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 Investigating Fatal Crash on Turnpike in Gray
GRAY—On Friday, October 9, 2026, at approximately 11:47 p.m., troopers responded to a fatal crash on I-95 northbound, at mile marker 60 in Gray. The initial investigation indicates the driver of a 2010 Honda Fit was traveling northbound when she swerved to avoid a deer. The vehicle struck the median side guardrail and spun 180 degrees to face oncoming traffic.
A 2016 Chevy Malibu which was traveling northbound crashed head on into the Honda Fit. The driver of the Honda Fit, 31-year-old Megan Stuart, of Auburn, was transported to Maine Medical Center with non-life-threatening injuries.
The passenger in the Honda Fit, 38-year-old Soda Mao, of Auburn, was pronounced deceased at the scene. The driver and the passenger in the Chevy Malibu suffered minor injuries.
Lane 1 of the Turnpike was shut down for approximately 2 hours. A full shutdown occurred for approximately 20 minutes to clear the scene. The crash remains under investigation. The Falmouth Fire Department and Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office assisted on scene.
Maine State Police Investigating Homicide in Indian Township
INDIAN TOWNSHIP—On Saturday, October 10, 2026, at approximately 9:28 p.m., the Indian Township Police Department received a report of a shooting at 312 Peter Dana Point Road in Indian Township. Members of the Indian Township Police Department, Indian Township Fire Rescue, the Passamaquoddy Tribal Warden Service, and the Washington County Sherrif’s Office responded to the scene.
Upon arrival they found 41-year-old Cory Fields, of Indian Island, deceased. The Maine State Police Major Crimes Unit-North and members of the Evidence Response Team were called to investigate. The investigation led to the arrest of 46-year-old Jeremy Stevens, of Indian Township. Stevens was taken into custody without incident, charged with murder and transported to the Washington County Jail.
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 gunshot wounds, and the manner of death is homicide. The investigation is ongoing. No additional information is available at this time.
State Fire Marshal’s Office Investigates Structure Fire in Durham
DURHAM—On Sunday, October 11, 2026, at approximately 3:01 a.m., the Durham Fire Department received a 911 call reporting a working structure fire at 6 Stieg Road in Durham. Fire crews arrived a short time later and found a two-story Cape-style residence with a breezeway and an attached two-car garage. The garage was fully involved in fire, and a vehicle in the driveway was also involved. There were no reported injuries. Two cats are believed to have died in the fire.
The Durham Fire Department requested assistance from the Maine State Fire Marshal’s Office to investigate the origin and cause of the fire. Due to the extensive fire damage, the origin and cause remain undetermined at this time. The investigation is ongoing.
Fire Marshal’s Office Investigates Fire at Store in New Gloucester
NEW GLOUCESTER—On Sunday, October 11, 2026, at approximately 2:07 a.m., a passerby near Link’s Variety Store, located at 1046 Lewiston Road in New Gloucester, noticed heavy smoke coming from the building and called 911.
The New Gloucester Fire Department responded and, with assistance from multiple mutual-aid agencies, quickly brought the fire under control. The New Gloucester Fire Department requested assistance from the Maine State Fire Marshal’s Office to investigate the origin and cause of the fire. Based on interviews and an examination of the scene, investigators believe the fire originated in or around the furnace area, where multiple boxes were located.
The investigation remains ongoing, and the exact cause of the fire has not yet been determined. There were no reported injuries. The store and its contents sustained extensive damage and are considered a total loss.
Maine State Police Investigating Double Fatal Wrong-Way Crash On I-95
MEDWAY—On Monday, October 12, 2026, at 9:21 p.m., the Bangor Regional Communications Center took a report of a wrong-way driver traveling south in the northbound lanes of I-95 in Island Falls. Troopers began responding to the area. At approximately 9:38 p.m., an officer from the East Millinocket Police Department encountered the vehicle near mile marker 248 northbound still traveling south in the northbound lanes at speeds exceeding 100 mph.
The officer turned around and attempted to stop the vehicle, but the driver continued at a high rate of speed. The officer continued south and began entering the crossover at mile marker 244 to enter the correct flow of traffic. The wrong-way vehicle continued south in the northbound lanes and entered a construction zone on a bridge in Medway just south of Exit 244.
Due to construction, southbound traffic is diverted onto the northbound bridge, with concrete barriers separating one lane of northbound traffic from one lane of southbound traffic. The wrong-way vehicle entered the construction zone traveling south in the northbound lane and struck another vehicle head on.
The driver and sole occupant of the wrong-way vehicle 20-year-old Luis Mendoza, of Indian Township, was killed. The driver and sole occupant of the second vehicle, 67-year-old Sandra Lacombe, of Medway, was also killed.
During the attempts to locate the wrong-way vehicle, the Houlton Police Department provided information of a 2011 Toyota Camry that was stolen from Hannaford in Houlton. Following the crash, investigators determined the wrong-way vehicle was the stolen Camry. I-95 in the area of the crash was closed for several hours. The crash remains under investigation.
Maine State Police Investigating Pedestrian Crash in Palermo
PALERMO—On Tuesday, October 13, 2026, at approximately 5:35 a.m., troopers from the Central Field Troop responded to a report of a motor vehicle versus pedestrian crash on Route 3 near Level Hill Road in Palermo. The preliminary investigation indicates that an adult male had pulled his vehicle over to the side of Route 3 and exited. The man then intentionally entered the roadway and was struck by an oncoming vehicle.
He suffered life-threatening injuries and was transported by Liberty Ambulance to Northern Light Eastern Maine Medical Center. The driver of the vehicle was not injured.
Troopers on scene were assisted by members of the Waldo County Sheriff’s Office, and several Fire/EMS departments. Ready Road Towing assisted with vehicle removal. The crash remains under investigation.
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.
HELP SUPPORT THE BAR HARBOR STORY
When we started The Bar Harbor Story, we didn’t know if anyone would read it. But you showed up. You shared. You sent tips. Now—over 400,000 views every month later—it’s clear: people here care about their community and each other.
We’ve kept everything free because news should never be out of reach, but every one of our stories takes time to write, and your support keeps The Bar Harbor Story going.
If you value our work, please consider a paid subscription, a founding membership, or a sponsorship.
It truly helps us cover one more meeting, tell one more story, shine one more light.
Even $5 a month makes a difference. Click here to become a one-time supporter now.
Thank you so much for being here.
Founding member information can be found here.
Have questions about sponsorships? Just send Shaun an email at sfarrar86@gmail.com, he’d love to hear from you.
Help the Bar Harbor Story continue.
Make a monthly donation
Make a yearly donation
Choose an amount
Or enter a custom amount
Your contribution is appreciated.
Your contribution is appreciated.
Your contribution is appreciated.
Discover more from Bar Harbor Story
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.