AUGUSTA — A city 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 Monday 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 and cursed once more before hanging up.

“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 occassionally turn themselves in at the police station, but rarely call for a ride.

“That is not common,” Massey said.


Only subscribers are eligible to post comments. Please subscribe or login first for digital access. Here’s why.

Use the form below to reset your password. When you've submitted your account email, we will send an email with a reset code.