OAKLAND — A Sidney man was arrested and spent several hours in the hospital Wednesday after police say he broke into a Church Street apartment and got into a fight with the resident.

Jeffrey Scott Witham, 43, of Taylor Crescent, Sidney, was arrested around 12:30 p.m. and charged with class B burglary, class D assault, terrorizing, refusing to submit to arrest or detention, possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of marijuana.

According to Oakland Police Capt. Rick Stubbert, officers were called to 86 Church St. for a report of a burglary in progress and an assault.

At the scene, Officer Jeremy Buzzell encountered Witham, who had been in a physical fight with the resident, Stubbert said. He didn’t identify the resident, but said he was around the same age as Witham. The cause of the fight was a “longstanding issue” between the two men, Stubbert said.

No weapons were used in the exchange, he said. Witham was injured in the episode, but was uncooperative when officers attempted to arrest him, and Buzzell had to use physical force and wrestle with Witham before placing him in custody, Stubbert said. Oakland Police Officer Adam Sirois provided backup for Buzzell.

“He was uncooperative through the entire process,” Stubbert said.

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Witham was taken to MaineGeneral’s Thayer Center for Health in Waterville by Oakland Rescue. Stubbert would not describe the extent of Witham’s injuries, but said that he stayed in the hospital under police supervision for seven hours until released Wednesday evening on an unsecured bond.

The victim of the burglary and assault was not taken to the hospital, Stubbert said.

Peter McGuire — 861-9239

pmcguire@centralmaine.com

Twitter: @PeteL_McGuire


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