Be careful while shopping this holiday season!

You're not the only one who is looking forward to your annual holiday shopping. Thieves who can't wait to get your credit or debit card information are also looking forward to it!

And with expanded shopping hours and month-long cyber sales, there's no time like now to read these tips from Maine Identity Services, LLC:

            * DO NOT USE YOUR DEBIT CARD

Your debit card can give a hacker an open door into your bank accounts, so don't use it to shop. Under the laws that govern the fraudulent use of your debit card, you may lose some or all of the amounts involved if you don't respond in time to the theft. And even the new computer chip cards won't protect you if you are using it to shop over the internet.

            * USE A PRE-PAID CREDIT CARD

For online and in store shopping, consider using a pre-paid credit card. These can be quickly obtained and will not allow a thief access to your bank or other credit card accounts. Plus, a pre-paid card has the added benefit of letting you limit spending before you start shopping.

            * CHECK THE ATM AREA CAREFULLY

Tug on the key pad and the debit card slot to make sure that no skimming devices are reading your information as you enter it. Check the area around the ATM machine to look for what may be hidden cameras or other devices.

            * DO NOT LEAVE YOUR WALLET OR PURSE IN YOUR CAR

A locked car door is no protection from a thief who wants your checkbook or credit and debit cards. It's always "shopping season"

for these thieves who operate in organized gangs- so make it a practice never to leave these items in your vehicle - no matter how quickly you expect to return.

            * TAKE YOUR SOCIAL SECURITY CARD OUT OF YOUR WALLET

Your social security number is prized information for a thief because it can be used and re-used for repeated fraudulent activities. If you must carry the number with you, write the number on a separate piece of paper as if it was a phone number (place a "1" as the first or last number to make it appear as a ten-digit phone number.) In this way, the information will appear as (XXX) XXX-XXX1 instead of your social security number XXX-XX-XXXX.

            * CHANGE YOUR PASSWORDS

If you have favorite online shopping sites, make sure that you are using a different password for each one. Using the same password across all the internet sites you visit means that hackers only have to have your password from one site to be able to use your identity to shop on other sites or use your financial accounts.

            * RECORD YOUR CREDIT CARD INFORMATION

Write down the number of the credit card you will be using to shop, in case the card is lost - or worse - someone helps themselves to it by picking your pocket. Before you leave home, make sure that you have recorded the number of the card and the customer service number of the card issuer so that you can call immediately to report it as missing.

            * IS IT THE REAL WEBSITE?

It's easy to be lured to a website for deals that sound too good to be true - and thieves are hoping that will happen. Make sure that any website you visit to make purchases is the real deal. Don't open links from attachments, instead use your browser to go to the business' actual web site to make your purchase. If you are still in doubt, either don't make the purchase (one less thing for poor old Santa to carry) or phone the legitimate store number and make the purchase via phone.

We hope you have a happy and safe shopping season!

Suspected overdose death in Cushing; Karl Crute, Jr. and Ranae Robbins of Cushing Arrested - November 16, 2016

Knox County Sheriff’s Office and Maine Drug Enforcement Agency (MDEA) conducted an investigation yesterday as the result of a suspected overdose death in Cushing. 

At approximately 6:30 a.m. yesterday morning, the Sheriff’s Office was called to a residence in Cushing regarding a male, Christopher Delano, 52, of Cushing found deceased at his home by a friend.  He was last seen at approximately 11:30 the night before.  Investigation revealed drug related activity and the Mid-Coast Task Force of MDEA was called to assist.  Actual cause of death will not be determined until an autopsy is done by the Maine Medical Examiner’s Office. 

Subsequently, the investigation lead to both agencies executing a search warrant at another residence in Cushing.  That warrant resulted in two people being arrested and charged with Trafficking in Schedule W Drugs, Class B, Felony.  Karl Crute Jr., 43, and Ranae Robbins, 45, both of Cushing remain at Knox County Jail.  Confiscated at the house was 5 grams of heroin, $1,000 in cash believed to be related to proceeds from the sale of illegal drugs, a loaded semi-automatic rifle, and 3 hand guns with other drug paraphernalia.  The investigation by both agencies is ongoing.

Accident on Route 17 in Hope - November 13, 2016

Knox County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to a two vehicle crash on Main St. (Rt.17) in Hope just before 1:00 p.m. Sunday afternoon. 

Kelly McGlothlin, 55, of Windsor was driving her 2008 Ford SUV and was apparently attempting a u-turn from the breakdown lane, initially heading east. Charlotte Henderson, 80, of Washington was operating her 2014 Dodge van, also driving east.  McGlothlin turned in front of Henderson.  Henderson was unable to avoid striking McGlothlin on the driver’s side. 

Henderson was transported to the hospital by a family member to be checked. McGlothlin was transported by Northeast Ambulance for possible head injury. McGlothlin was unconscious initially, but had regained consciousness prior to being transported. 

Hope and Rockport Fire Departments also assisted at the scene. 

Scam Alert: Medicare Fraud

Medicare Annual Enrollment runs through December 7th, and it's a banner time for Medicare fraud.

Be aware of ads that promise medical equipment being covered 100% by Medicare, like the one that might appear in the newspaper offering a free back brace, or the TV infomercial claiming you can get anything to ease your pain with no money out of pocket. Medicare only covers durable medical equipment that is medically necessary with a doctor's prescription. Scammers hope you don't know this. They want your Medicare number so they can fraudulently bill Medicare. Plus, since your Medicare number is the same as your Social Security number, there are additional dangers of giving that information out, such as identity theft.

Be a fraud fighter! If you can spot a scam, you can stop a scam.

Report scams to local law enforcement. Contact the AARP Fraud Watch Network at www.aarp.org/fraudwatchnetwork for more information on fraud prevention.

Brendan J. Gray arrested and charged with Class A Felony of Gross Sexual Assault - October 21, 2016

Knox County Sheriff’s Detective Justin Twitchell arrested Brendan J. Gray, 19, of Warren Friday afternoon, charging Gray with a Class A Felony of Gross Sexual Assault. 

Detective Twitchell was notified by Thomaston Police Sgt. Hoppe that a parent of a child in Thomaston, filing a complaint on behalf of their child, under the age of 12, of the offense.  Sgt. Hoppe notified the Knox County Sheriff’s Office as the assault allegedly occurred in Warren. 

Detective Twitchell interviewed the suspect and based on that interview arrested Gray and transported him to Knox County Jail. 

Gray remains at Knox County Jail and held without opportunity to bail until arraignment at the first of the week.   

Reset your Netflix passwords

Netflix is asking customers to reset the passwords on their accounts.

The company has not sustained a data breach, but has "discovered that credentials that match your Netflix email address and password were included in a release of email addresses and passwords from a breach at another company," according to an email received by a Netflix user.

Large internet companies routinely monitor the internet to quickly determine if their information has been breached. Lately there have been a few instances reported where user names and passwords have been exposed and offered for sale. It is likely that these names and passwords were obtained from one of the many recent large data breaches including Yahoo and LinkedIn.

We remind everyone not to re-use passwords for your internet accounts.

Protect your name and your financial information by using different passwords for every website.

Maine Sheriffs Announce Formal Opposition to Question 3

Maine Sheriffs Announce Formal Opposition to Question 3

Ballot Initiative Will Not Stop Criminals from Acquiring Guns

The undersigned Sheriffs in the state of Maine announce our formal opposition to Question 3, a ballot initiative expanding firearm background checks that will appear on the ballot this fall.

We strongly believe the people of Maine should know that the Chief Law Enforcement Officer from twelve of the sixteen counties who are elected to protect your families and homes do not support the Question 3 ballot initiative.  This measure will do nothing to stop evil people from getting their hands on guns.  In fact all relevant data indicates that criminals acquire firearms through theft and the black market.  This initiative will not stop the reoccurring pattern.  

We live in one of the safest states in the country and strongly believe no provisions in this legislation would reduce gun violence or crime in Maine.  In fact, Question 3 is unenforceable, confusing, poorly written and threatens to make law-abiding gun owners into criminals for simply loaning a firearm to a friend.  By and large, the people who commit crimes with firearms are not concerned with good citizenship, compliance with existing law and are repeat offenders. It’s the law-abiding citizens who comply with gun laws that are the most affected by arbitrary gun laws and will be most affected by Question 3.

As anyone who has gone through the process to legally obtain a firearm in Maine knows, there is no dearth of existing laws that regulate the sale, purchase, and transfer of firearms.   As members of the law enforcement community, we support public policy that targets criminals and lends to the full prosecution of those individuals under the law.  We will continue to develop and promote worthwhile crime fighting proposals and effective firearm laws at all levels of government. We cannot, however, support Question 3.

Signed by:

Androscoggin County Sheriff Eric Samson, Aroostook County Sheriff Darrell O. Crandall, Hancock County Sheriff Scott Kane, Knox County Sheriff Donna Dennison, Franklin County Sheriff Scott Nichols, Oxford County Sheriff Wayne J. Gallant, Penobscot County Sheriff Troy Morton, Piscataquis County Sheriff John J. Goggin, Somerset County Sheriff Dale Lancaster, Waldo County Sheriff Jeffrey C. Trafton, Washington County Sheriff Barry Curtis, and York County Sheriff William King.

Maine AMBER ALERT: 3-year-old Lenore Wilson Abducted from Augusta - UPDATED

Lenore Wilson has been located and is safe and sound!

______________________________________________________________________________ 

A Maine Amber Alert has been issued for 3-year-old Lenore Wilson after she was abducted from Augusta by a 26-year-old woman identified as Fatima Gissentaner, who is accused of taking her while the child's mother was taken to hospital. (more)   

 The abduction happened on early Tuesday morning after police and EMS were called to 26 Sewall Street in Augusta to tend to a medical emergency of Lenore's mother, who was taken to an area hospital. Lenore was last seen at that time.

Investigators believe Lenore was taken by Fatima Gissentaner, who occasionally cares for the child and goes by the nickname "China". The woman may also be in the company of her boyfriend, whose real name is unknown but who goes by the street name "Dollar". Both are from the state of New York.

Lenore, whose name was incorrectly listed as Lenora in an alert sent to mobile devices, is described as a 3-year-old white female with blond hair, is 30 inches tall and weighs about 30 pounds. Gissentaner is described as a 26-year-old black female. It is unknown whether the couple has access to a vehicle.

Anyone who sees either the child, Fatima or "Dollar" is urged to call 911 immediately, or call the Augusta Police Department at 207-620-8383 if you have any other information that may help authorities.

Need the Community to help identify a person - UPDATED

UPDATE: The person below has been identified and has met with Detective Murray. Thank you for your help!
_____________________________________________________

The Knox County Sheriff's Office is asking for help from the community in identifying the male in the images below. He is a person of interest in an ongoing investigation.

If you have any information, please contact the Sheriff's Office at 594-0429 and ask for Detective Don Murray. If he isn't available, please leave Det. Murray a message so he can get in touch with you.

Reckless Weapons Fire in Appleton by a Felon - September 10, 2016

Knox County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to a call just before 5 o’clock on the 10th regarding a neighbor on Fishtown Rd. in Appleton firing his gun off the deck of a residence.  According to witnesses, this wasn’t the first time the suspect has done this.  The person doing the shooting was identified as Lance Huff, 40, of Appleton. In an interview with Huff, he admitted that he was intoxicated, but denied shooting a gun. 

Based on witness statements and evidence gathered after Deputies obtained a search warrant for the residence, Huff was arrested and charged with Terrorizing-Class D, Discharge of a Firearm within 300 ft. of a residence, Class E and two Class C felonies of Reckless conduct with a firearm, and Possession of a Firearm by a prohibited person due to being convicted of a previous felony.   

Huff remains at Knox County Jail with bail set at $5,000 cash.

Sheriff's Office warns of scam targeting would-be renters

Click on the link below to read the article written by Kim Lincoln for Village Soup:

Village Soup article link

K-9 Demonstration at the 2016 Union Fair

 

Sergeant Matt Elwell makes some new friends

Deputy Jeremy Joslyn introduces K-9 Brady

Deputy Joslyn introduces K-9 Gunner

Possible OUI Crash in Friendship on the Cushing Road - August 18, 2016

Just before 2 a.m. this morning, Knox Regional Communications reported to Sheriff's Deputies that a single vehicle crash had occurred in Friendship on the Cushing Road.

Upon arrival, Sergeant Patrick Polky and Deputy Paul Spear found the single occupant/operator, Joseph Solomon, 39, of Waldoboro, in his 2009 4-door Mazda that was destroyed in the crash.

Solomon stated that when he noticed that he was in the wrong lane, he suddenly tried to react and over-corrected, and lost control of his vehicle. He crossed back into the northbound lane onto a lawn, struck a large tree, spun around in the road, and then stopped in the driveway of the residence where he hit the tree. The crash was violent enough to rip the engine from the car and was sitting in the roadway. It is believed that both speed and alcohol were factors in the crash. Solomon suffered broken bones and lacerations and was transported by Life-Flight to the Central Maine Medical Center.

Friendship Fire and Waldoboro Ambulance assisted at the scene.

Sheriff's Log: July 31 - August 13, 2016

From July 31 to August 13, 2016, the Knox County Sheriff's Office received 640 calls for service. Calls not listed include agency assists, animal problems, bail and warrant checks, business/residential alarms, business/residential property checks, check-ins, citizen assists, civil disputes, crisis interventions, death investigations, nuisances complaints, court paper service, marine resource inspections, motor vehicle crashes, police information, suspicious persons and circumstances, traffic hazards, and traffic stops. An arrest or summons does not constitute a finding of guilt. An individual charged with a crime is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty at criminal proceedings.

July 31

Sergeant Lance Mitchell conducted a speed enforcement detail in Warren, citing the following:
-          Jeffrey York, 55, of Saint George, summoned for Speeding.
-          Devin Meklin, 20, of Warren, summoned for Speeding.
-          Erik Jura, 57, of Cushing, summoned for Speeding.
-          Steven Judge, 46, of Cushing, summoned for Speeding.

August 1

Following a traffic stop in Warren, Deputy John Hansen summoned Steven Kaler, 50, of Warren for Speeding.

Following a traffic stop in Washington, Mitchell summoned James Dorsky, 51, of Jefferson for Improper Passing.

Hansen conducted a speed enforcement detail throughout the county, citing the following:
-          Ryan Chaney, 25, of Phippsburg, summoned for Commercial Operator Using Handheld Device in St. George.
-          Lydia Fournier, 32, of Rockport, summoned for Speeding in Warren.
-          Aaron Heald, 38, of Cushing, summoned for Speeding in Cushing.

Following a traffic stop in Rockland, Dep. Arthur Smith summoned Dimitrious Manos, 44, of Rockland, for Failure to Display Current Inspection Certificate.

Following a check for a wanted person in South Thomaston, Dep. Scott Redmun arrested Douglas David, 45, of So. Thomaston, on an active arrest warrant.

August 2

Dep. Jeremy Joslyn conducted a speed enforcement detail throughout the county, citing the following:
-          Robert Cole, 18, of Jefferson, summoned for Speeding in Washington.
-          Jean Young, 70, of So. Thomaston, summoned for Failure to Display Current Inspection Certificate in So. Thomaston.
-          Helga Manning, 80, of St. Geroge, summoned for Speeding in St. George.
-          William Martin, 78, of Vero Beach, FL, summoned for Speeding in St. George.
-          Jason Burridge, 46, of Cushing, summoned for Failure to Display Current Inspection Certificate in St. George.
-          Elizabeth Bush, 82, of St. George, summoned for Failure to Produce Evidence of Insurance in St. George.
-          William Martin, 57, of Cumberland, RI, summoned for Speeding and Failure to Produce Evidence of Insurance in Washington.

Following a vehicle crash in So. Thomaston, Hansen arrested James Seekins, 56, of Owls Head, for Operating Under the Influence.

Following a vehicle crash in Warren, Dep. Paul Spear summoned Ronald Lufkin, 72, of Warren, for Failure to Yield Right of Way.

Dep. Justin Hills responded to a criminal mischief report on North Haven; the incident is under investigation.

Following a vehicle crash in Warren, Redmun arrested Allison Hamelin, 34, of Warren, for Operating Under the Influence.

August 3

Redmun responded to a theft report in Cushing; the incident is under investigation.

Detective Justin Twitchell responded to a violation of release conditions in Warren; the incident is under investigation.

Following a traffic stop in Warren, Spear summoned David Bryant, 20, of Warren, for Speeding.

Following a traffic stop in Thomaston, Joslyn arrested Wilson Collamore, 40, of So. Thomaston, for Violation of Probation.

Following a traffic stop in Thomaston, Sgt. Patrick Polky summoned Marion Buckland, 51, of Rockland, for Operating Without a License and Failure to Dim Headlights.

August 4

Following a traffic stop in Hope, Joslyn summoned Nicholas Adkins, 26, of Warren, for Illegal Possession of Marijuana.

Dep. Paul Pinkham responded to a protection order violation report in Hope. Pinkham arrested Timothy Wall, 43, of Rockland, for Violation of a Protection Order.

Sgt. John Palmer and Pinkham responded to a threatening with a weapon report in Warren. Palmer arrested Kara Salo, 30, of Warren, for Criminal Threatening with a Dangerous Weapon and Violation of Conditional Release.

Detectives Dwight Burtis and Donald Murray responded to a family fight report in Cushing. Burtis arrested Devin Trull, 23, of Cushing, for Domestic Violence Assault.

Dep. Robert Potter responded to a family fight report on Vinalhaven. Potter arrested Austin Jackomino, 26, of Vinalhaven, for Domestic Violence Assault.

Following a drug report on Vinalhaven, Potter summoned Ashli Hooper, 20, of Vinalhaven, for Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.

August 5

Mitchell responded to a fraud report in Owls Head; the incident is under investigation.

Following a traffic stop in Warren, Joslyn summoned Ryan West, 39, of Benton, for Speeding.

Joslyn responded to a vehicle crash report in St. George. Joslyn summoned Ben Murdock, 33, of Monhegan, for Failure to Report Crash by Quickest Means and Leaving the Scene of a Property Damage Crash.

Chief Deputy Timothy Carroll, Sgt. Matthew Elwell, Palmer, Joslyn, Hansen, Jack, Spear, Smith, Redmun, and Hills conducted a safety checkpoint in Rockport, citing the following
-          Kevin Malmstrom, 37, of Rockland, summoned for Failure to Display Current Inspection Certificate.
-          Micah Roach, 29, of Vassalboro, summoned for Operating Without a License.
-          John Mccaslin, 22, of Augusta, summoned for Illegal Possession of Marijuana.
-          Sara Salamone, 33, of Brooklyn, NY, summoned for Illegal Possession of Marijuana.
-          Dylan Smith, 26, of Rockland, summoned for Failure to Display Valid Inspection Certificate.
-          Ryan Hopkins, 25, of Union, summoned for Operating with Expired Registration.
-          Kimberly Sanderson, 45, of Searsmont, summoned for Failure to Display Current Certificate of Inspection.
-          Corey Robinson, 24, of Cushing, summoned for Failure to Display Current Certificate of Inspection.
-          Alec Paul, 21, of Thomaston, summoned for Failure to Display Current Certificate of Inspection and Failure to Produce Evidence of Insurance.
-          Dustin Seekins, 25, of Washington, summoned for Operator not Secured in Seatbelt.
-          Jason Wade, 42, of Palermo, summoned for Failure to Display Current Certificate of Inspection.
-          Juvenile, 17, summoned for Illegal Transportation of Liquor by a Juvenile and Illegal Possession of Marijuana.
-          Dustin Doliber, 28, of Washington, arrested for Operating Under the Influence.

August 6

Smith responded to a theft report in So. Thomaston; the incident is under investigation.

August 7

Following a traffic stop in Hope, Spear summoned Harold Fickett, 19, of Clifton, for Speeding.

Murray and Pinkham responded to a family fight in Union. Murray arrested Andrew Jura, 28, of Union, for Aggravated Assault, Domestic Violence Assault, Domestic Violence Criminal Threatening, and Violation of Conditional Release.

Twitchell responded to a sex offense report in Friendship; the incident is under investigation.

Following a vehicle crash in Union, Redmun arrested Thomas Gilliland, 54, of Rockland, for Operating Under the Influence, Leaving the Scene of a Property Damage Crash. Gilliland was summoned for Failure to Produce Evidence of Insurance.

August 8

Burtis responded to a family fight report in Cushing; the incident is under investigation.

Following a traffic stop in , Elwell summoned Charles Markowitz, 62, of Belfast, for Failure to Stop at Stop Sign.

Palmer conducted a speed enforcement detail in Union, citing the following:
-          Raymond Meader, 59, of Dixfield, summoned for Speeding.
-          Roger Flick, 61, of Waldoboro, summoned for Speeding.
-          Bernard Roberts, 36, of Appleton, summoned for Speeding.
-          Tena Wallace, 49, of St. George, summoned for Speeding.
-          Emylee Leary, 18, of Union, summoned for Speeding.

Jack responded to a burglary report in Washington; the incident is under investigation.

Burtis responded to a threatening report in St. George; the incident is under investigation.

Following a vehicle crash in Hope, Redmun arrested Tristo Emery, 40, of Camden, for Operating Under the Influence, Illegal Possession of Schedule W Drug, and Illegal Possession of Schedule Y Drug. Emery was summoned for Illegal Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.

Following a vehicle crash on Vinalhaven, Potter summoned a Juvenile, 16, for Operating Without a License, Leaving the Scene of a Property Damage Crash, and Failure to Report Crash by Quickest Means.

August 9

Following a vehicle crash in Warren, Jack summoned Robert Watts, 86, of Thomaston, for Failure to Stop at Stop Sign.

Following a traffic stop in Thomaston, Palmer summoned Marian Brezniak, 62, of Rockland, for Operating with Expired Registration.

Redmun responded to a theft report in Union; the incident is under investigation.

Potter responded to several criminal mischief reports on Vinalhaven; the incidents are under investigation.

August 10

Burtis responded to a witness tampering report in St. George. An arrest warrant for Tampering with a Witness and Violation of Conditional Release was issued for John Flower, 31, of Rockland. Rockland Police Department arrested Flower on the warrant a few days later.

Spear responded to a harassment report in Cushing; the incident is under investigation.

August 11

Lieutenant Reginald Walker, Jack, Pinkham, Palmer, and Burtis responded to a person in crisis in Washington. Jack arrested Kurtis Peterson, 62, of Washington for Aggrevated Assault, Assault, Disorderly Conduct, and Refusing to Submit to Arrest or Detention.

Potter responded to a threatening report on Vinalhaven; the incident is under investigation.

Following a probation check on Vinalhaven, Potter summoned Brennan Dyer, 40, of Vinalhaven, for Violation of Probation.

August 12

Following a traffic stop in Cushing, Spear summoned Daryl Young, 39, of Warren, for Operating Motor Vehicle while License Suspended and Failure to Produce Evidence of Insurance.

Following a traffic stop in Thomaston, Elwell summoned Denis Hickey, 20, of Thomaston, for Illegal Attachment of License Plates and Illegal Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.

August 13

Following a theft report on North Haven, Hills summoned a Juvenile, 17, for Theft.

Following a traffic stop in Thomaston, Elwell summoned Peter Bishop, 57, of Warren, for Failure to Display Current Certificate of Inspection.

Following a traffic stop in Warren, Spear summoned Taylor Olsen, 23, of Rockland, and Robert Maharrey, 26, of Actworth, GA, for Operating Unregistered All Terrain Vehicles on a Public Way.

Palmer conducted an impaired driving detail throughout the county, citing the following:
Corey Rytky, 36, of St. George, summoned for Failure to Display Current Certificate of Inspection in St. George.

Knox County experiencing increasing drug-impaired driving incidents

The Knox County Sheriff’s Office is concerned with the recent increase in drug-impaired driving incidents in Knox County.

The Sheriff’s Office released information about safety checkpoints throughout Knox County only a week ago and the Office’s Drug Recognition Experts (DRE) have conducted nearly as many drug evaluations. Since August 1, 2016, Sergeant Patrick Polky and Deputy John Hansen, the Office’s DREs, have been called upon in five different impaired driving incidents.

Sheriff’s Office incidents for the month of August showed five Operating Under the Influence (OUI) arrests. Two of these arrests were drug-impaired drivers and two of these were vehicle crashes. DRE skills were called upon three additional times by other agencies in the county this month. For the same period countywide, there were 10 additional OUI arrests.

The Sheriff’s Office is not the only agency with DREs. The Rockland Police Department also employs two DREs. Countywide incidents for 2016 show 151 OUIs and 12 DREs. Sgt. Polky states that the DRE call volume is most likely higher. “On occasion a local DRE is unavailable so dispatch will reach out to neighboring counties to find an available DRE.”

The Sheriff’s Office wants to remind drivers that in Maine, a person commits an OUI if they drive while under the influence of intoxicants or when their blood alcohol level is 0.08 or higher. Maine Revised Statue Title 29-A, 2401(13), states “ ‘under the influence of intoxicants’ means being under the influence of alcohol, a drug other than alcohol, a combination of drugs, or a combination of alcohol and drugs.”

Sgt. Polky said that a specific reason for the increase in DRE calls cannot be determined at this time but feels that an increase in illicit drug activity in the region is a contributing factor. “We want everyone to be sure they are not impaired before they get behind the wheel so that we all arrive home safely to our friends and families.”

August 5, 2016 Safety Checkpoint Results

The Knox County Sheriff's Office, with assistance from the Rockport and Camden Police Departments conducted a "Safety Checkpoint" on Route 17 at the pull-out near Chickawaukie Lake on the evening of August 5th.

Of the over 500 vehicles checked that night, a majority of them were in compliance and expressed appreciation for our efforts to ensure safe vehicles and operators on the roads.

Unfortunately, not everyone was in compliance. We did find various violations that were addressed with warnings, defects, and summonses, or in the case of two people found to be Operating Under the Influence (OUI), the individuals were arrested.

The following are the statistics of the violations addressed:

1 - Operating without a License
1 - Operating After License Suspended
1 - Illegal Transportation of Liquor by a Juvenile
3 - Possession of Marijuana
1 - Seatbelt violation
1 - Expired Registration
1 - Failure to Produce Certificate of Insurance
9 - Expired Inspection Sticker

Safety Checkpoints

With summer in full swing, the Knox County Sheriff’s Office, along with the assistance of several local law enforcement agencies, will be conducting random safety checkpoints, or roadblocks, throughout the County through the end of the summer season.

Often we are asked, “What is the purpose of a safety checkpoint?” Checkpoints serve many purposes, but at the end of the day, we are assuring that our fellow motorists are doing their part in being safe and helping to keep all of us safe on the road.

The checkpoints will be conducted at various times and locations during the next few months. Please double check your vehicle, passengers, and yourself, before setting off. You never know when you maybe asked, “Can I check to see that you being a safe motorist tonight?”

Sheriff's Log: July 17 - 31, 2016

The Knox County Sheriff's office received 730 calls for service from July 17 - 31, 2016. Some of the calls not listed include agency assists, animal problems, bail and warrant checks, business and residential alarms, business and residential property checks, check-ins, citizen assists, civil disputes, crisis interventions, death investigations, nuisances complaints, court paper service, marine resource inspections, motor vehicle crashes, police information, school visits, suspicious persons and circumstances, traffic hazards, and traffic stops. An arrest or summons does not constitute a finding of guilt. An individual charged with a crime is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty at criminal proceedings.

July 17

Sergeant Patrick Polky conducted an impaired driving detail throughout the county citing the following:

-          Megan Sykes, 18, of Washington, summonsed for Speeding and Improper Passing in Owls Head.

Following a traffic stop in Rockland, Deputy Jeremy Joslyn arrested Geraldine Overlock, 76, of Rockland, for Operating Under the Influence.

Following a bail check in Warren, Joslyn summoned Paul Thurlow, 27, of Warren for Violation of Conditional Release.

July 18

Following a probation check in Rockland, Polky arrested Lynn Fuschino, 64, of Searsmont, for Violation of Probation.

Following a traffic stop in Owls Head, Dep. Paul Pinkham summoned Andrew Mclain, 19, of Owls Head, for Operating an ATV on Public Way.

July 19

Sgt. Matthew Elwell conducted a speed enforcement detail in Washington citing the following:

-          Danica Gustin, 22, of Owls Head, summoned for Speeding.
-          Daniel Farley, 18, of Thorndike, summoned for Speeding.
-          Lydia Hickerson, 35, of Oklahoma City, OK, summoned for Speeding.
-          Jennifer Albee, 34, of Brooks, summoned for Speeding.
-          Monica Nelson, 46, of Waldoboro, summoned for Speeding.
-          Lisa Reibel, 48, of Waldoboro, summoned for Speeding.
-          Amy Banahan-Micklich, 44, of Thomaston, summoned for Speeding.
-          Ashleigh Howell, 30, of Unity, summoned for Child not Properly Secured in Seatbelt.
-          Robert Pagliaroli, 35, of Unity, summoned for Possession of Marijuana.

Following a traffic crash in Owls Head, Dep. Nathaniel Jack arrested Chelsea Keyes, 21, of Owls Head, for Operating Under the Influence and summoned Keyes for Possession of Marijuana.

Following a traffic stop in Warren, Joslyn summoned Nicholas Hynd, 21, of Lincolnville, for Speeding and Failure to Display Current Certificate of Inspection.

July 20

Pinkham conducted a speed enforcement detail in Warren citing the following:
-          Cassie Myers, 24, of Rockland, summoned for Speeding.
-          Gigi Aea, 45, of Camden, summoned for Speeding.
-          Joshua Shanholtzer, 33, of Jefferson, summoned for Failure to Display Current Certificate of Inspection.

Dep. Paul Spear responded to a theft report in Appleton; the incident is under investigation.

Following a wanted person check in Appleton, Spear arrested Tracy Clark, 46, of Appleton, on an Arrest Warrant.

July 21

Following a traffic stop in Hope, Spear summoned Richard King, 25, of Belfast, for Speeding.

Pinkham responded to a threatening report in Thomaston; the incident is under investigation.

Following a wanted person check in Washington, Jack arrested Robert Shenett, 47, of Washington, on an Arrest Warrant.

Following a traffic stop in Saint George, Joslyn summoned Michael Estes, 24, of St. George, for Failure to Display Current Certificate of Inspection.

Following a family fight report on Vinalhaven, Dep. Justin Hills arrested Jeremy Vandyne, 44, of Matinicus, for Aggravated Assault, Domestic Violence Assault, and Domestic Violence Threatening.

July 22

Following a wanted person check in Rockland, Sgt. John Palmer arrested Farrah Barnes, 31, of Weare, NH, on an Arrest Warrant.

Detective Justin Twitchell responded to a sexual assault report in Warren; the incident is under investigation.

Following a traffic stop in St. George, Elwell summoned Justine Smith, 24, of Winslow, for Failure to Display Current Certificate of Inspection.

Following a traffic stop in Owls Head, Joslyn summoned Thomas Massey, 32, of Camden, for Failure to Display Current Certificate of Inspection.

Following a traffic stop in Owls Head, Joslyn summoned Michael Florance, 39, of South Thomaston, for Failure to Display Current Certificate of Inspection.

Following a traffic stop in St. George, Elwell summoned Brandon Amborn, 20, of Rockport, for Failure to Display Current Certificate of Inspection.

Following a traffic stop in St. George, Elwell summoned Timothy Fuller, 35, of St. George, for Failure to Display Current Certificate of Inspection.

Dep. Scott Redmun and Polky conducted impaired driving details throughout the county citing the following:
-          Christopher Kurek, 40, of So. Thomaston, summoned for Operating with Expired License.
-          Carrie Groth, 35, of St. George, summoned for Operating Under the Influence, Possession of Scheduled Drugs, and Failure to Produce Evidence of Insurance.

July 23

Following a traffic crash in So. Thomaston, Pinkham summoned Lhea Sellick, 32, of St. George, for Operator not Secured in Seatbelt.

Following a traffic stop in Washington, Joslyn summoned Jonathan dancer, 43, of Somerville, for Failure to Display Current Certificate of Inspection.

Following a traffic stop in Washington, Joslyn summoned Ruth Bateman, 32, of Rockland, for Speeding.

July 24

Following a traffic stop in Washington, Pinkham summoned Rene Anctil, 70, of Union, for Speeding.

July 25

Following a traffic stop in Cushing, Dep. Arthur Smith summoned Dannielle Hoplins, 41, of Waldoboro, for Operating with Expired License, Failure to Give Correct Name and Date of Birth, Failure to Display Current Certificate of Inspection, and Failure to Produce Evidence of Insurance.

Following a wanted person check in Cushing, Smith arrested Destinee Smith, 20, of Waldoboro, on an Arrest Warrant.

July 26

Following a wanted person check in Rockland, Dep. John Hansen arrested Amber Quinn, 41, of North Haven, on an Arrest Warrant.

Following a burglary report in Warren, Hansen summoned a juvenile, 16, and juvenile, 6, for Criminal Mischief and Trespassing.

Following a traffic stop in Camden, Joslyn summoned Benjamin Curtis, 43, of Camden, for Operating an Unregistered Motor Vehicle.

Following a traffic stop in Warren, Joslyn arrested Paula McMahon, 56, of Rockland, for Operating Under the Influence and Endangering the Welfare of a Child.

July 27

Following a traffic stop in So. Thomaston, Hansen summoned Cody Heal, 19, of Camden, for Speeding.

Dep. Robert Potter responded to a theft report on Vinalhaven; the incident is under investigation.

Hansen responded to a theft report in St. George; the incident is under investigation.

Following a shellfish inspection in St. George, Hansen summoned Amos Robbins, 36, of Thomaston, for Harvesting Shellfish in a Closed Area.

Potter responded to an assault report on Vinalhaven; the incident is under investigation.

July 28

Det. Dwight Burtis, Chief Deputy Timothy Carroll, Joslyn, Pinkham, Polky, and Palmer responded to a report of an assault in Warren. David Atwood, 47, of Warren, was arrested for two (2) counts of Aggravated Assault, Domestic Violence Assault, and Possession of Scheduled Drugs.

Following a traffic crash on Vinalhaven, Potter summoned Brandon McAuliffe, 20, of Warren, for Operating while License Suspended.

Following a bail check in Rockland, Joslyn summoned Paula McMahon, 56, of Rockland, for Violation of Conditional Release.

July 29

Following a traffic crash in Hope, Elwell summoned Casey Gilman, 18, of Appleton, for Failure to Maintain Control of Vehicle.

Following a traffic stop in Owls Head, Spear summoned Zachary Greenfield, 41, of Cape Elizabeth, for Speeding.

July 30

Redmun and Polky conducted impaired driving details throughout the county citing the following:
-          Whitney Lopez, 21, of Washington, summoned for Failure to Produce Drivers License, Failure to Provide Evidence of Insurance, and Inadequate Tires.

Following a traffic stop in Hope, Joslyn arrested Kyle Bragdon, 29, of Newcastle, for Failure to Submit to Arrest and on four (4) Arrest Warrants.

Elwell conducted a speed enforcement detail in Washington citing the following:
-          Jenny Nelson, 36, of Portland, summoned for Speeding.
-          Raymond Currier, 64, of Dedham, summoned for Speeding.
-          Brian Jones, 60, of Green Cove Spring, FL, summoned for Speeding.
-          Alicia Gonsalves, 58, of Waldoboro, summoned for Speeding.
-          Heather Achorn, 26, of Warren, summoned for Failure to Display Current Certificate of Inspection.
-          Elaine Pepler, 70, of Liberty, summoned for Failure to Display Current Certificate of Inspection.

Following a disorderly report in Union, Sgt. Lance Mitchell arrested Timothy Keefe, 49, of Rockland, for Assault and Terrorizing.

Following a criminal mischief report in Hope, Joslyn summoned Whitney Lopez, 21, of Washington, for Criminal Mischief.

Spear and Polky conducted impaired driving details throughout the county citing the following:
-          Kevin Teel, 44, of Nashville, TN, arrested for Operating Under the Influence.
-          Joseph Young, 29, of Warren, arrested for Operating Under the Influence.