Troop G Weekly Report 08/24/2020 - 08/30/2020

On 08/20/2020, Tr. Darcy arrested Eric Mays (33) of Keene, NH as the result of a traffic stop northbound on the turnpike in York. Mays had a failure to appear warrant and was bailed from Kittery PD.

On 8/23/2020, at approximately 2030 hours, Tr. Williams attempted to stop a vehicle that was traveling north at 100 MPH through the York construction zone while workers were present.  A pursuit ensued with suspect vehicle speeds over 130 MPH.  The vehicle exited at mile 19 toward the Wells toll plaza, where Sgt. Pappas successfully deployed a spike mat.  The vehicle was able to maneuver behind a house on a side street, delaying his apprehension.  Tr. Fancy/K9 Dutch arrived, and a track was conducted.  With the assistance of Wells and Kennebunk PDs, the suspect was apprehended after being pushed out of a wooded area.  Alexis Espinal (31) of Dorchester, MA was arrested and charged with Eluding an Officer Class C.  A search warrant was conducted and as a result, Espinal will also face a charge of Unlawful Possession of Sch. W Drugs Class D and Driving to Endanger Class E.  The reason Espinal refused to stop is not fully known. Cpl. Duda/K9 Mack and Tr. Darcy also assisted in the track, drug sniff, and apprehension.

On 08/24/2020, at approximately 0300 hours, Tr. LiBritz, Sgt. Doughty, and Sgt. Pappas responded to the Biddeford exit for a report of a pedestrian with an IV in his arm. The male advised the toll taker he was going to be confrontational if anyone showed up. While in route, it was determined Biddeford PD was looking for the male as he left the hospital. The male was not in protective custody and he stated he just wanted to get home. Rescue removed the male’s IV and Biddeford PD relayed him home.

On 08/24/2020, Cpl. Cote stopped Kyle Cassell (23) of Westbrook on the ME Turnpike southbound in Portland.  He was charged with Operating after Suspension.

On 08/25/2020, at approximately 0441 hours, the Augusta RCC advised a passerby reported a vehicle stopped in lane 2 near mile 62 southbound. Tr. LiBritz responded and checked the area with negative contact. When she proceeded south, she came across a vehicle traveling at approximately 15 MPH in lane 2 with its hazards on. The vehicle pulled over and contact was made with an elderly male. It was determined he had a flat tire on the front passenger side, and he was trying to make his way home. The elderly male could not afford a wrecker, but it was not safe for him to continue operating the vehicle in its current condition. Tr. LiBritz and Pike helped him change his tire and he was able to safely make his way home.

On 08/25/2020, Tr. Keim stopped Lucas Paradis (22) of Alfred for speeding.  Paradis was going 104 MPH in a posted 70 MPH zone.

On 08/25/2020, Cpl. Cote stopped Andrew Tucker (20) of Westbrook on the ME Turnpike southbound in Portland.  He was charged with Criminal Speed for traveling more than 30 MPH over the posted work zone speed limit.

On 08/25/2020, Cpl. Cote stopped Molly Reali (18) of South Portland on the ME Turnpike northbound in Portland.  She was charged with Criminal Speed for traveling more than 30 MPH over the posted work zone speed limit.

On 08/25/2020, Cpl. Cote stopped Adam Hamboyan (36) of Topsham on the ME Turnpike northbound in Portland.  He was charged with Attaching False Plates.

On 08/26/2020, Tr. Darcy and Sgt. Pappas assisted the Honor Guard Team with an escort from Kittery to Scarborough on the turnpike. A Portland firefighter who had been battling cancer was being escorted from the hospital in Boston to a hospice care location in Scarborough. Firefighters from every town/city that the turnpike runs through stood on every overpass and saluted as the escort went by. Sadly, the firefighter passed away a day later.

On 08/26/2020, Cpl. Cote stopped Daniel Dillon (45) of Bryant Pond on the ME Turnpike northbound in Portland.  He was charged with Criminal Speed for traveling more than 30 MPH over the posted work zone speed limit.

On 08/27/2020, at approximately 0130 hours, Tr. Keim received a call of a female sitting on the guardrail at mile 55.  Upon his arrival, he found the female sitting on the rails and confused.  Sgt. Pappas arrived on scene to assist Tr. Keim.  After a lengthy discussion with the female, it was determined that her unknown boyfriend dropped her off there.  It was also determined that she was bipolar and was having issues because she had not taken her medicine.  The female was taken to MMC, where she was treated.

On 08/27/2020, Tr. Keller checked on a 2021 Chevy SUV in the median around mile marker 100 on I-95. The operator, Ted Zarins (28) of Fort Kent, was asleep and the vehicle had run out of gas. The operator had the keys to the brand-new vehicle and said he had just bought it at Valley Motors in Fort Kent. Tr. Keller followed up with Fort Kent PD and eventually determined the vehicle was indeed stolen. Zarins was charged with Theft by Unauthorized Use.

On 08/27/2020, Cpl. Duda was traveling behind a vehicle northbound near mile marker 75. Cpl. Duda clocked the vehicle traveling at 114 MPH. Ryan Caron (45) of Lewiston, was charged with exceeding the speed limit by 30 MPH or more.

On 08/27/2020, Tr. Darcy arrested Jeri Joy (42) of Provincetown, MA as the result of a traffic stop northbound on the turnpike in Wells. Joy had a failure to appear warrant and was bailed from the Biddeford Park & Ride.

On 8/27/2020, Tr. Williams summonsed Bryant Darnell (32) of Brooklyn, NY for FT Stop for Police Officer Class E and OP Without a License Class E following a traffic stop on I-95 NB in Ogunquit.  Tr. Williams had attempted to stop the vehicle, a rental out of Brooklyn, for an expired and suspended registration.  Bryant continued driving for 3 miles at a slow speed until he finally stopped.  York PD deployed a K9 which alerted on the vehicle.  Drug activity is suspected; however, no drugs were located during the search.  Sgt. Pappas, Cpl. Duda, and Tr. Darcy assisted.

On 08/28/2020, Cpl. Cote stopped Jesus Maceo-Cruz (23) of Roxbury, MA on the ME Turnpike northbound in Biddeford.  He was charged with Operating without a License.

On 08/28/2020, Cpl. Cote stopped Kameron Arnold (27) of Lewiston on the ME Turnpike southbound in Portland.  He was charged with Criminal Speed for traveling more than 30 MPH over the posted work zone speed limit.

On 08/29/2020, Cpl. Duda clocked a vehicle traveling northbound near mile marker 18. The vehicle was all over the road and traveling at speeds up to 118 MPH. Cpl. Duda initiated a traffic stop for the offenses. The male driver, Ryan Dee (37) of Austin, TX, was also under the influence of intoxicating beverages. Dee was taken to the Kennebunk Police Department for a breath test. He blew over the legal limit and was charged accordingly.

On 08/29/2020, Cpl. Physic summonsed Quinn Babbidge for Criminal Speed for traveling 101 MPH in a 70 MPH zone.

On 08/29/2020, Tr. Harakles, Cpl. Physic, and Sgt. Doughty investigated a single vehicle, single occupant fatal crash at Mile 18 southbound in Wells. The operator, Eric Fishman (62), of Danvers, MA, was killed when his vehicle left the road and struck a large turnpike sign support leg head on. Rain was heavy at the time and preliminary indications are that the vehicle hydroplaned. The investigation is ongoing.

On 08/30/2020, Tr. Keller stopped a white Cadillac Escalade at mile marker 94 SB, whose occupants were suspects in a theft at Walmart in Augusta. The occupants gave consent to search and no items were found. Tr. Keller summonsed the occupants for Theft for Augusta PD.

On 08/30/2020, Tr. Darcy seized 10 grams of fentanyl from a female from South Portland as the result of a traffic stop northbound on the turnpike in York. The driver, Frederick Johnson (43) of Portland, was charged with Operating after Suspension.

In a packed Troop G  Barracks this week Captain Welch received the honorary golden spike award.  This comes after two successful spike mat deployments while in Troop G.  When asked to speak with the media regarding this prestigious award, Welch had no comment.  Pictures from the ceremony are below.  Social distancing protocols were adhered to before and after the ceremony.