Police updates for Bar Harbor, Mount Desert, Southwest Harbor, Tremont, State Police, and Hancock County Sheriff’s Department.
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BAR HARBOR AND MOUNT DESERT—On Tuesday afternoon, the Maine State Police provided an update about the deaths of three Mount Desert Island residents who had died in September in Roque Bluffs.
According to a press release sent out by Maine Department of Public Safety Public Information Officer Shannon Moss, the death of 61-year-old Sharon Bukulmez of Mount Desert, and her two grandchildren, 5-year-old Kinsley Grubb and 3-year-old Sawyer Grubb, both of Bar Harbor, was accidental.
The three were located at Pond Cove in the town of Roque Bluffs, September 20.
“The Office of Chief Medical Examiner in Augusta has determined the cause of death for all three individuals to be drowning and the manner of death to be accidental. The circumstances surrounding the incident remain under investigation. Additional information will be released when appropriate,” Moss wrote.
According to a previous press release from the Maine State Police, “The three were traveling to Machias but did not arrive as expected. After concerns were raised about their whereabouts, law enforcement began attempting to locate Bukulmez and the children,” the release states.
The travels were on the day before the three were located.
The Bar Harbor Police Department was able to use Bukulmez’s cellphone to locate them in the water close to a boat ramp at Schoppee Point Road in Roque Bluffs.
Maine State Police were notified and troopers along with Maine State Police dive team members and Maine Marine Patrol members responded.
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 19, 2026
Officer Zack Kline responded to a noise complaint at a Bar Harbor apartment complex and determined that it was unfounded.
Officer Ted Cake spoke with a Mount Desert man about having a vehicle removed from private property and Officer T. Cake informed the man that he could have it towed from his property at his own expense.
The police department received a parking complaint regarding an issue at the intersection of Cottage Street and Greeley Avenue in Bar Harbor and a parking enforcement officer placed a parking ticket on the vehicle.
Officer Liam Harrington assisted someone in Bar Harbor who was in need by providing them with some resources.
Sgt. Jerrod Hardy received a motor vehicle complaint regarding a vehicle on Route 102 in Town Hill that was heading north and making bad passes but could not locate the vehicle.
Tuesday, October 20, 2026
Officer Kaleb Payson performed a security check at a Bar Harbor business and found it to be all set.
Officer Payson removed a traffic hazard from the roadway on Route 3 in Bar Harbor.
Officer Payson dispatched an injured deer in Bar Harbor.
Officer T. Cake performed an unattended death investigation in Bar Harbor and determined that it was not suspicious.
Officer Elias Burne spoke with a Bar Harbor family regarding a non-criminal matter.
Sgt. Doug Brundrett responded to a reported juvenile issue on Route 3 in Bar Harbor and investigated and documented the event.
Someone reported an erratic driver in Bar Harbor but all police units were out of position to locate the vehicle.
Officer Harrington spoke with someone in Mount Desert about how to apply for a vehicle title.
Sgt. Hardy received a motor vehicle complaint in Bar Harbor and located the vehicle, but it was already parked.
Wednesday, October 21, 2026
Officer Justin Burnett located a fuel pump hose on the side of the road in Bar Harbor and returned it to the gas station that it came from.
Officer Tim Frost performed a vehicle identification number verification in Bar Harbor.
Officer Amie Cake fingerprinted a woman in Bar Harbor.
Sgt. Soren Sundberg was provided information regarding property boundary markers in Mount Desert that had been removed and then replaced.
Someone spoke with Sgt. Sundberg and informed him that someone in another state was falsely claiming to be a firefighter from Mount Desert Island. Sgt. Sundberg advised the person to make a complaint with their local law enforcement agency and then the Bar Harbor Mount Desert Police Department would assist them with their investigation.
Following a traffic stop on Route 102 in Bar Harbor, Officer Frost arrested the passenger of the vehicle, David Jellison, 39, of Harrington, for an active arrest warrant. Jellison was transported to the Hancock County Jail.
Someone in Mount Desert informed Sgt. Sundberg that they were having a vehicle towed from their private property.
After a drone was reported to be flying in Northeast Harbor, Sgt. Sundberg was able to determine that it was being used to survey property in Northeast Harbor and did not appear to be violating any laws.
Someone in Bar Harbor found a loose dog which was reunited with its owner.
Officer Caleb Mora assisted the Maine State Police with an investigation.
Following the report of debris in the roadway on Route 3 in Bar Harbor, Sgt. Chris Dickens located the debris and removed it from the roadway.
Officer Judson Cake assisted the Bar Harbor Fire Department on a medical call in Bar Harbor.
Officer Zach Alexander gave some people in Bar Harbor a ride back to their residence.
Thursday, October 22, 2026
Following a traffic stop in Bar Harbor, Officer Alexander arrested Lloyd Taylor, 34, of Mount Desert, for operating under the influence. Taylor was transported to the Hancock County Jail.
Sgt. Sundberg assisted with the removal of glass from the roadway in Bar Harbor.
Officer Frost spoke with a Bar Harbor business about trespassing concerns.
Officer Nathan Formby assisted the Bar Harbor Fire Department on a medical call in Bar Harbor.
Following a traffic stop in Bar Harbor, Officer Alexander arrested Robert Huneken, 40, of Sag Harbor, NY, for operating under the influence. Huneken was transported to the Hancock County Jail.
Friday, October 23, 2026
Following a traffic stop in Bar Harbor, Officer Alexander arrested Joris Korstanje, 22, of Bar Harbor, for operating under the influence and possession of schedule W and X drugs. Korstanje was transported to the Hancock County Jail.
After receiving a report of a vehicle possibly running another vehicle off the road and into a ditch in Bar Harbor, Officer J. Cake checked the area but could not locate any vehicles off the road. The Southwest Harbor Police Department was able to stop the suspect vehicle for Officer J. Cake.
Officer Harrington spoke with a Bar Harbor resident who was experiencing a mental health crisis.
Sgt. Sundberg assisted another agency with a road rage incident that started in Trenton.
Officers assisted with the Conners Emerson School Halloween parade in Bar Harbor.
Officer Harrington investigated a report of possible animal abuse in Bar Harbor and determined that the dog was fine and was being supervised by its owner while they were working.
Following a complaint regarding speeding vehicles in Somesville, Sgt. Dickens added the area to the additional enforcement roster.
Sgt. Dickens and Officer Burnett responded to a report of an intoxicated person who had fallen in Bar Harbor. The person was attended to by the Bar Harbor Fire Department.
Officer Formby arrested Danielle Kersey, 25, of Bangor, for violation of conditions of release. Kersey was transported to the Hancock County Jail.
Saturday, October 24, 2026
Following a traffic stop in Bar Harbor, Officer Formby arrested Ivan Porter, 56, of Amherst, for violation of conditions of release. Porter was transported to the Hancock County Jail.
Office Burnett responded to a delayed report of a disorderly person at a Bar Harbor business but the person had already left by the time he arrived and could not be located.
Officer Harrington responded to a potential parking issue in Northeast Harbor and determined that there was no parking problem.
Sgt. Brundrett responded to a reported family dispute at a Mount Desert residence and determined, through investigation, that it was verbal only in nature and no crimes had been committed.
Officer Kline checked on reported fireworks on West Street in Bar Harbor and found that it was a permitted fireworks show.
Following a motor vehicle complaint in Bar Harbor, Officer Burnett located the vehicle, stopped it, and warned the driver for their poor operation.
Officer Burnett assisted an outside agency in Bar Harbor with an active investigation.
Officer Kline assisted the Bar Harbor Fire Department with a medical call in Bar Harbor.
Sunday, October 25, 2026
Someone reported that people were camping on town property in Bar Harbor. Officer T. Cake located the people and warned them for a town ordinance violation.
Ammunition was turned into the Bar Harbor Police Department for destruction.
Officer T. Cake took a trespassing complaint in Bar Harbor and was able to locate the trespasser and warn them for trespassing.
Officer Kline responded to a reported domestic disturbance in Bar Harbor and determined, through investigation, that it was verbal only in nature and no crimes had been committed. The people involved were separated for the night.
After receiving a 911 call in Bar Harbor reporting a missing person, Officer Payson was able to locate the missing person and reunite them with their family.
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 19, 2026
Chief John Hall charged Donald Murphy, 70, no hometown listed, with operating a motor vehicle after habitual offender license revocation in Southwest Harbor.
After receiving a request to stand by at the Tremont Consolidated School in case he was needed to assist with a student issue, Chief Hall’s assistance were not needed.
Chief Hall is investigating a complaint of trespassing at a Tremont business.
Chief Hall is investigating a complaint of trespassing in Southwest Harbor.
Sgt. Rick Graham assisted a Southwest Harbor resident with getting back into their apartment after they had become locked out.
Tuesday, October 20, 2026
Sgt. Graham responded to a residential burglar alarm in Tremont, checked the residence with the property manager, and found no issues.
Officer Abigail Armistead assisted the ambulance service with a medical call in Tremont.
Officer Armistead assisted the ambulance service with a medical call in Southwest Harbor.
Officer Armistead received a complaint regarding speeding vehicles in Southwest Harbor.
Someone in Southwest Harbor reported some vandalism to Officer Armistead.
Wednesday, October 21, 2026
Sgt. Graham responded to a report by a Tremont resident that their dog had run away but by the time he arrived, the dog had returned.
While conducting building security checks in Southwest Harbor, Sgt. Graham found an unsecure business and notified the owner.
Thursday, October 22, 2026
A parent requested that Officer Bradley Russell perform a well-being check on a juvenile in Southwest Harbor. Officer Russell went to the given address and found that nobody was home, so he called the parent back and spoke to them about their options.
Officer Russell performed a well-being check on a member of the Good Morning Quietside program in Southwest Harbor and found them to be all set.
Officer Russell spoke with someone in Tremont regarding vehicles parked on the complainant’s property. Officer Russell also spoke with the owner of the vehicles about resolving the issue.
Officer Russell was on his way to assist a Southwest Harbor resident who had become locked out of their apartment, but the resident was able to get back in prior to Officer Russell’s arrival.
Following a motor vehicle complaint in Southwest Harbor, Officer Russell attempted to locate the subject vehicle but was unable to do so.
Officer Russell responded to a residential alarm in Tremont and while in route, the alarm company called and stated that they were cancelling the alarm.
Friday, October 23, 2026
After receiving a report of erratic motor vehicle operation in Southwest Harbor, Officer Russell was able to locate the suspect vehicle and spoke with the operator about the complaint and his motor vehicle operation.
Someone reported a young woman and a baby, both in pajamas, walking on Main Street in Southwest Harbor but upon response, Sgt. Graham was unable to locate them.
Following a report of a “reckless” driver on Seawall Road in Southwest Harbor, Sgt. Graham responded but was unable to locate the subject vehicle.
Sgt. Graham located, stopped, and held a vehicle in Southwest Harbor at the request of the Bar Harbor Mount Desert Police Department.
Sgt. Graham conducted a school visit and ate lunch with the students at the Tremont Consolidated School.
Sgt. Graham responded to a verbal disturbance at a Southwest Harbor residence. The involved people were separated.
The Southwest Harbor Police Department received a 911 call from people who had locked themselves out of their vehicle in Tremont. A tow truck was called to assist them.
An injured deer was reported on the side of the road in Tremont. Sgt. Graham responded and dispatched the deer.
Saturday, October 24, 2026
Officer Armistead responded to an alarm in Southwest Harbor.
Officer Armistead received a traffic complaint in Tremont.
Officer Armistead received a motor vehicle complaint in Southwest Harbor.
Someone reported an ATV being operated on a public roadway in Tremont and Officer Armistead responded.
Officer Armistead is investigating a report of a possible stolen vehicle in Tremont.
Officer Armistead handled a barking dog complaint in Southwest Harbor.
Sunday, October 25, 2026
After someone reported a child riding a scooter in the road in Tremont, Sgt. Graham responded. Sgt. Graham did not locate the child on the scooter but did locate a juvenile on a mini-bike riding on a public way. The juvenile’s parents were called to retrieve him and the minibike.
Sgt. Graham assisted the Southwest Harbor Fire Department with locating some reported smoke in Southwest Harbor. No issues were located.
Someone reported that it appeared as though a child was trying to run from a parent and into Main Street in Southwest Harbor. Sgt. Graham responded and determined that it was children just playing games.
Sgt. Graham searched for three dogs that a Tremont resident had reported were running loose but could not locate the dogs.
Sgt. Graham performed a requested well-being check on someone in Southwest Harbor but was unable to locate the person being checked on.
Sgt. Graham responded to a commercial burglar alarm in Southwest Harbor and found the building to be secure with no apparent issues.
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 Release Photo of Suspect Vehicle in Pittsfield Construction Zone Crash
PITTSFIELD—The Maine State Police are releasing a photograph of a pickup truck believed to have been involved in a crash that injured a construction worker on Interstate 95 in Pittsfield on Wednesday, October 14, 2026. The crash occurred at approximately 8:17 a.m., in the northbound construction zone near mile marker 150.
Investigators say a light-colored pickup truck, which was towing a black dump trailer, struck a concrete Jersey barrier, causing a construction barrel to strike a worker in the construction zone. The pickup truck continued northbound without stopping.
The injured worker, 56-year-old Richard Smart, of Westfield, was transported to Northern Light Sebasticook Valley Hospital with serious but non-life-threatening injuries. He has since been released from the hospital. Anyone who recognizes the vehicle in the attached photograph or has information about the driver is asked to contact the Bangor Regional Communications Center at 207-973-3700, extension 9, and ask for Trooper Klayton Peckham.
*The Maine State Police remind motorists to slow down, remain alert, and use extra caution when traveling through construction zones. Roadside workers are often just feet away from moving traffic, and a moment of inattention can have devastating consequences.
Fire Marshal’s Office Arrests Ashland Woman on Two Counts of Arson
ASHLAND—The Fire Marshal’s Office announces the arrest of an Ashland woman following an investigation into two intentionally set fires involving neighboring residential properties on Frenchville Road in Ashland. On October 10, 2026, the Ashland Police Department responded to 1158 Frenchville Road for a reported ongoing criminal mischief complaint.
Officers located 26-year-old Brooke Robinson, of Ashland, at the property. Robinson was arrested and given a summons for criminal mischief. On October 13, 2026, the Ashland Police Department contacted the Fire Marshal’s Office requesting assistance after additional information was developed during the initial investigation.
Investigators identified fire damage to the exterior of the residence at 1158 Frenchville Road. Following an examination of the damage, Fire Marshal Investigators determined that the fire was incendiary in nature, having been intentionally set by holding an open flame against the exterior siding of the residence.
Investigators determined that Robinson was also responsible for setting fires at 1164 Frenchville Road, a neighboring property, before proceeding to 1158 Frenchville Road. Investigators identified two separate areas of fire damage at 1164 Frenchville Road. Both areas were also determined to be incendiary in nature, with the damage caused by an open flame being held against the exterior siding and insulation materials.
Following the investigation, the case was submitted to the Aroostook County District Attorney’s Office, and an arrest warrant was issued charging Robinson with two counts of arson. On October 20, 2026, Fire Marshal investigators, with assistance from the Presque Isle Police Department, arrested Robinson. Robinson was transported to the Aroostook County Jail.
The Fire Marshal’s Office acknowledges the assistance of the Ashland Police Department and Presque Isle Police Department throughout the investigation and arrest.
Smoke Detectors Alert Houlton Family to Residential Fire
HOULTON—On Monday, October 19, 2026, at approximately 4:38 p.m., the Houlton Fire Department responded to a reported structure fire at 73 Court Street in Houlton, involving a single-family residence. At the time of the fire, one adult and three children were inside the residence. Working smoke detectors alerted the occupants to a fire in a rear mudroom. All occupants safely evacuated the residence, and the fire department was notified.
The Houlton Fire Department responded to the scene with mutual aid assistance from the Hodgdon Fire Department. Firefighters worked to extinguish the fire and remained on scene until approximately 8:42 p.m. Fire Marshal Investigators responded and determined the fire to be accidental, with electrical arcing identified as the likely cause. As a result of the fire the family has been displaced from the residence. No injuries were reported.
*The Fire Marshal’s Office reminds residents of the importance of maintaining working smoke detectors throughout their homes. In this incident, functioning smoke detectors provided an early warning that allowed the occupants to safely evacuate. Residents are encouraged to test smoke detectors regularly, maintain electrical systems in good working condition, and ensure all family members are familiar with their home’s emergency escape plan.
Fire Marshal’s Office Investigators Seek Information in Hudson Arson Fire
HUDSON—On Sunday, October 25, 2026, at approximately 2:00 p.m., the Penobscot County Sheriff’s Office responded to 374 Darling Road, in Hudson, for a report of a fire that had occurred at a vacant residence over the weekend.
Fire Marshal’s Office Investigators were called to the scene to investigate. Investigators determined the fire had suppressed itself due to a lack of fuel load. Investigators classified the fire as incendiary (Arson), and the investigation is ongoing.
Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact the Maine State Fire Marshal’s Office tip line at 1-888-870-6162.
Fire Marshal’s Office Investigating Structure Fire in Greenfield Township
GREENFIELD TOWNSHIP—On Saturday, October 24, 2026, at approximately 10:28 p.m., multiple fire departments responded to a reported residential structure fire on Cross Road in Greenfield Township. The residence consisted of two homes positioned approximately five feet apart, with a constructed connecting passageway between the two structures. A pellet stove located within the connecting area was used to heat the residence.
According to the occupants, they had gone to bed at approximately 8:00 p.m. and awoke around 9:00 p.m. to discover fire conditions. They reported observing flames through a rear window and along the exterior of the residence. Heavy smoke had accumulated inside the home, significantly reducing visibility and making evacuation difficult. Both occupants were able to safely escape the residence.
Investigators from the Fire Marshal’s Office responded to investigate the origin and cause of the fire. During the investigation, occupants reported several potential ignition sources within the residence, including a pellet stove, smoking materials, extension cords, and battery-operated tools. Investigators are evaluating these factors as part of the origin and cause investigation. The fire has been classified as undetermined.
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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