Can I get a ride? 

An Augusta man was taken to jail Monday after cursing at public safety dispatchers and telling them he wanted to be arrested.

Mark B. Melanson, 41, was arrested on warrants charging him with nearly $2,000 in unpaid fines and fees. Melanson was being held at the Kennebec County jail Tuesday in lieu of $1,890 cash bail.

Melanson called dispatchers shortly after 9 p.m., Monday, and began the conversation by cursing at them, said Augusta Police Lt. Christopher Massey.

“He stated he had warrants and he wanted to be arrested,” Massey said.

Melanson told dispatchers he would be waiting for police at a specific location on Mount Vernon Avenue. He cursed at the dispatchers one more time before hanging up.

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“He advised he didn’t have any weapons and would be cooperative,” Massey said. “He was very polite when police arrived.”

Massey said individuals who have warrants will occasionally turn themselves in at the police station, but they rarely call for a ride.

“That is not common,” Massey said.

Sign breaks windshield in Interstate 95 crash

A Waterville man was flown to a Lewiston hospital Tuesday after a crash on Interstate 95 in Augusta that ended with a sign through the pickup truck’s windshield.

Carroll Caron, 54, was taken by a LifeFlight of Maine helicopter to Central Maine Medical Center, said Maine State Police Trooper Scott Duff. Caron sustained just a cut on his arm as a result of the crash, but he was flown to the hospital as a precaution because of injuries suffered in a previous incident, Duff said.

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The crash occurred around 1:30 p.m., as Caron was driving his 2011 Toyota Tacoma south on Interstate 95. His truck left the right side of the road and hit a sign.

“The mile marker 110 sign came flying through the windshield,” Duff said.

Traffic was briefly reduced to one lane as emergency crews tended to Caron.

Police are investigating what caused Caron’s truck to leave the road.

Catalytic convert thefts reported in Monmouth

Police in Monmouth are investigating a string of catalytic converter thefts.

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Police Chief Kevin Mulherin said five thefts were reported over the weekend in north and south Monmouth.

The cars were either parked on the street or in private driveways, Mulherin said.

Police are investigating, but Mulherin acknowledged there is little evidence on which to base the investigation.

He said that thieves work quickly and can typically cut the converter out of a vehicle in less than five minutes.

Converters can fetch up to $200 at metal recycling centers.

The theft often goes undetected until the owner starts the car.

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“It’s a crime of ease,” Mulherin said.

Replacing the converter can cost upwards of $2,000.

Mulherin asked residents who notice a suspicious vehicle or circumstances to call the police at 933-9089.

City cracking down on drunken driving

Augusta police are stepping up efforts to enforce drunken driving laws over the next several weeks.

The department has scheduled more than two dozen details — officers specifically assigned to look for drunken drivers — and checkpoints between now and Sept. 5, said Augusta Police Lt. Christopher Massey.

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Police will focus on areas that see the most traffic and spots that officers tend to see intoxicated drivers, Massey said.

Police have run 10 directed patrols since July 2, Massey said. Those patrols have resulted in three OUI arrests.

The effort coincides with the national “Over the limit, under arrest” campaign that runs from Aug. 19 to Sept. 5.

Augusta police were given a $5,000 grant through the Maine Bureau of Highway Safety to fund the enforcement effort, Massey said.

Grants are typically given out in the summer and then again around the Thanksgiving holiday.

Alna
Friday
At a time unknown, Zachary A. Dunning, 18, of Alna, was arrested on West Alna Road and charged with gross sexual assault.

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Augusta
Monday
At 4:23 p.m., there was a report of mischief on the Kennebec River Rail Trail.
4:23 p.m., there was a hit-and-run accident on Commercial Street.
4:34 p.m., theft was reported at a Bridge Street business.
5:45 p.m., Daniel Joseph Couto Jr., 20, of Augusta, was arrested on warrants charging $775 in unpaid fines and fees during a motor vehicle stop at the intersection of Bridge and State streets.
6:15 p.m., there was a report of a recent burglary on South Chestnut Street.
8:26 p.m., Lloyd Everett Bowden, 52, of Augusta, was arrested on warrants charging $3,000 in unpaid fines and fees after a report of an intoxicated person lying on the sidewalk outside a Western Avenue store.
9:57 p.m., there was a report of disorderly conduct on Water Street.
9:58 p.m., an assault was reported on Water Street.
11:31 p.m., there was suspicious activity on Jefferson Street.
Tuesday
At 7:06 a.m., firefighters responded to an alarm at 26 Sewall Street.
10:06 a.m., there was a report of gross sexual assault on East Chestnut Street.
11:38 a.m., there was an accident on Civic Center Drive.
1:01 p.m., there was an accident at the intersection of Western Avenue Place and Vickery Street.
1:03 p.m., Nicholas Walter Honas, 30, of Augusta, was arrested on warrants charging failure to pay fines at a Western Avenue business.
1:04 p.m., there was a report of mischief on Quimby Street.
1:40 p.m., there was an accident on Western Avenue.
2:14 p.m., there was a report of disorderly conduct on Western Avenue.
3:10 p.m., there was a terrorizing complaint on North Belfast Avenue.
3:16 p.m., theft was reported at a Shuman Avenue business.
3:17 p.m., Linda Kathleen Church, 41, of Augusta, was arrested on Water Street on warrants charging theft and failure to appear.
3:24 p.m., there was an accident on Edison Drive and Western Avenue.
3:37 p.m., there was a report of disorderly conduct at a Western Avenue business.
3:49 p.m., there was an accident at the intersection of Stone Street and Eastern Avenue.
3:57 p.m., there was a report of disorderly conduct at an Eastern Avenue business.
3:59 p.m., theft was reported on Crosby Street Place.

Belgrade
Monday
At 1:14 p.m., theft was reported on Castle Island Road.
7:11 p.m., theft was reported on Main Street.

China
July 9
At a time unknown, a 31-year-old man, address unknown, was issued a summons charging him with marijuana possession during a traffic stop for a seat belt violation on Route 3.
July 12
At a time unknown, Charles Janosky, 27, address unknown, was arrested on warrants during a traffic stop on Route 3. Janosky’s father, Charles Janosky, 65, address unknown, was subsequently also arrested on warrants.
July 13
At a time unknown, a 37-year-old China woman was charged with operating under the influence of drugs by police responding to a report of a disoriented and apparently intoxicated woman inside a Hannaford Drive store.
Friday
At a time unknown, police responded to a report of a domestic dispute on Waterville Road. Officers determined no assault had taken place.
Saturday
At a time unknown, police were called to Pride Rock Road for a report of an attempted break in. No items were taken. The investigation is ongoing.
Time unknown, a 46-year-old man, address unknown, was issued a summons charging him with operating after suspension during a traffic stop for an expired inspection sticker on Route 32.

Gardiner
Tuesday
At 12:18 a.m., there was suspicious activity on West Street.
2:48 a.m., there was suspicious activity on Johnson Street.

Litchfield
Monday
At 9:01 p.m., there was a 911 hang-up on Hallowell Road.

Manchester
Monday
At 7:36 p.m., an assault was reported on Route 17.

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Monmouth
Monday
At 11:07 a.m., theft was reported on South Monmouth Road.
12 p.m., there was a report of theft on Annabessacook Road.
1:18 p.m., there was a report of mischief on Morse Road.

Pittston
Saturday
At a time unknown, theft was reported at an unspecified location. The investigation is ongoing.
Time unknown, police responded to a report of a fight on Blodgett Road. No charges were issued.

Randolph
July 12
At a time unknown, a 20-year-old woman, address unknown, was issued a summons charging her with leaving the scene of a property damage accident after a report of a hit-and-run accident on the Gardiner Randolph Bridge. Police found the suspect in Pittston.
Friday
At a time unknown, there was a report of theft at an unspecified location. The investigation is ongoing.
Saturday
At a time unknown, Mickey Labreck, 42, of Chelsea, was arrested and charged with operating after suspension after being recognized by a Maine State Police trooper who saw Labreck as both waited for a traffic light at the Gardiner Randolph bridge.

Sidney
Monday
At 2:01 p.m., theft was reported on West River Road.
Tuesday
At 3 a.m., theft was reported on Pond Road.

Washington
July 10
At a time unknown, Becky Condon, 21, address unknown, was arrested on a warrant by police responding to a disorderly conduct complaint on Crystal Lake Road.
Friday
At a time unknown, a 60-year-old man, address unknown, was issued a summons charging him with criminal speed after police clocked his car traveling 88 miles per hour in a 55 mile-per-hour zone on Route 17. The driver told police he was late for an appointment at an area garage.

Windsor
July 12
At a time unknown, Brian Hebert, 44, of Windsor, was arrested by police responding to a burglary complaint on Legion Park Road and charged with burglary and theft, including theft by deception, and criminal mischief.
July 13
At a time unknown, police responded to a crash on Route 17. The vehicle involved had been stolen, but the owner declined to pursue criminal charges.
Friday
At a time unknown, a 19-year-old man, address unknown, was issued a summons charging him with criminal mischief by police responding to a report of a family fight and property damage to a vehicle windshield on Weeks Mills Road.


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