POLICE BEAT – May 2016
Pedestrian killed in moped accident
On May 17th, at approximately 8:35 p.m., Portland Police responded to a serious motor vehicle accident on Brighton Avenue, near the intersection of St. John Street, in which a moped struck and killed a pedestrian.
The pedestrian, David Burnham, 52, of Portland, sustained serious injuries as he attempted to cross Brighton Avenue and was struck by a 2007 Honda moped operated by Kelly McGovern, 36, of Portland.
David Burnham passed away in the hospital five days later on May 21st.
The driver of the moped was not injured in the accident.
According to the Bicycle Coalition of Maine, an advocacy group that monitors crash reports for incidents that involve bicyclists or pedestrians, the accident marks the sixth fatality of a person walking or on a bike in Maine this year. This death comes after a year in which a record 19 people were killed on Maine’s roadways while walking.
The accident continues to be under investigation by the police. Anyone who may have witnessed this incident is asked to call the Portland Police Traffic Division at 874-8532.
Man Terrorizes Child on Ocean Avenue
On May 5th, at 3:45 p.m., Portland Police arrested 23-year-old Christopher Bennett of Waterboro, Maine. Bennett is charged with terrorizing a 10-year-old child.
The boy was walking home from school on Ocean Avenue. He saw a suspicious pick-up truck and the passenger approached him, ordering him to get in the truck.
The boy dropped his backpack and ran away crying.
A passing motorist saw the encounter and stopped to help the boy. They found a neighbor and school staff from Ocean Avenue Elementary School. Another bystander flagged down a passing police officer who was able to find the truck and stop it at 570 Forest Avenue.
After an investigation, Bennett was arrested along with the truck’s driver. Nathan Desfosses, 26-years-old from Shapleigh, was arrested and charged with Operating after Suspension. Bennett was arrested and charged with Terrorizing and Violation of Bail Conditions.
Police say that the incident was safely resolved thanks to the quick and appropriate responses of the victim and the adults that passed by.
The Police remind parents to review safety tips with your children. Helpful pointers can be found here: http://www.kidsmartz.org/.
Victim of Denny’s Stabbing Dies
A 31-year-old man from Veazie, Maine, who was stabbed on April 28th has died. Anthony Best passed away this morning. He had been hospitalized since being stabbed in the parking lot of Denny’s at 1220 Brighton Avenue.
No one has been charged in this incident and the case is still actively under investigation.
The incident began as an altercation at PT’s Showclub at 200 Riverside Street. Two groups were separated by staff and left PT’s. They met again in the Denny’s parking lot where the stabbing occurred.
Submit Your Tip
To provide information anonymously, contact Portland Police at 874-8575, text the keyword “GOTCHA” plus the tip message to 274637 (CRIMES), or go to the www.portland-police.com and click “Submit an Anonymous Crime Tip.”
