POLICE BEAT – October 2021
Portland Police Use Chemical Munitions in State Street Standoff
On Sunday, October 24th at about 11:33 a.m., Portland Police Officers responded to a call of a man pointing a handgun at traffic passing by 62 State Street. Officers arrived on scene and observed the suspect still brandishing a firearm. The suspect refused to follow commands and fled into 62 State Street, a large apartment building.
The PPD Special Reaction Team and PPD Crisis Negotiators arrived on the scene. Officers evacuated people from the surrounding apartments. After hours of negotiations, police used chemical munitions to force the suspect from the apartment. At 4:59 p.m. police ended the standoff and made two arrests.
Danforth Street Gun Charge
On Tuesday, October 12th, at about 12:20 p.m., Portland Police Officers responded to reports of a man running and yelling before hiding a firearm in bushes along Danforth Street. Officers arrested the suspect on charges of possession of a firearm by a felon and a probation violation.
Vandalism: Broken Windows at Congress St. Businesses, Separate Incidents on Wharf St.
On Friday, October 15th at about 12:45 p.m., while officers were responding to a report of theft at Reny’s, located at 540 Congress Street, a suspect threw an object through one of the store’s windows. Then, on Saturday, October 16th, at about 2:08 p.m., officers responded to 585 Congress Street for a report of criminal mischief at Flea for All. They reported that their windows also had been broken. Subsequently, Police identified a single suspect in both vandalism incidents. They charged the suspect by summons with two counts of Aggravated Criminal Mischief.
In a separate incident on Saturday, October 16th, at about 7:26 a.m., officers responded to 49 Wharf Street for a report of a burglary. Officers found broken windows, extensive damage, and missing items from Jefe Juan’s. While investigating, officers discovered another business, Rathskeller on Wharf, had a window broken. Police are investigating these two incidents. Police do not believe these incidents are related to the vandalism incidents on Congress Street.
Deering Oaks Park Assault Case
On Saturday, October 9th, at about 3:30 p.m., Portland Police Officers responded to a report of a sexual assault. The victim, a 47-year-old Portland woman, reported that while in a portable toilet in Deering Oaks Park she had been punched in the face several times then sexually assaulted. After investigating, Portland Police made an arrest. The suspect was charged with aggravated assault and gross sexual assault. The victim was taken for treatment at Maine Medical Center.
Police Investigating Car, Bicycle Crash
On Tuesday October 5th, at 6:53 p.m., a 63-year-old Portland man was seriously injured when the bike he was riding collided with a boat trailer that was being towed by an SUV. The SUV was being driven by a 22-year-old Portland resident. The collision occurred in the area of 335 Forest Avenue. MEDCU airlifted the victim to Maine Medical Center with life-threatening injuries. As of publication, Police made no charges in connection to the incident.
Teenagers Assault Juvenile, Steal Shoes
On Monday, October 4th at about 12:40 p.m., Portland Police Officers responded to a report of an assault and robbery on Temple Street. The victim and witnesses reported that a group of four high school-aged males attacked the juvenile victim and stole his shoes. Police continue to investigate and arrested two juvenile suspects on Wednesday, October 6th, and charged both with robbery and simple assault. Additional arrests are likely.
If anyone has any information that could assist police, call the Portland Police Department at (207) 874-8575.
