Texas to extradite Veazie man after arrest

A man living in Veazie but wanted in Texas will be returning to that state after his arrest Monday morning in Bangor.

The story starts in Veazie where police had been told by authorities in Upshaw County, Texas, that Christopher Cocchiaro, 21, was living here in Maine, and that a warrant had been issued for his arrest for a probation violation. Cocchiaro was going by the name of Matthew Laney, 18, who Veazie police Officer Andrew Whitehouse had arrested previously.

On March 7, Whitehouse faxed Laney’s fingerprints – taken from the earlier arrest – to the FBI in West Virginia. The FBI report that came back showed that Laney’s fingerprints matched Cocchiaro’s fingerprints.

Whitehouse tried to catch up with Laney, but reported that although he had been in contact with Laney by phone, the man wouldn’t meet him in person. Whitehouse went to the man’s residence at 11 Flagg St. but couldn’t find Laney.

Whitehouse learned that Laney was working at Galt Block Warehouse Co., although the day the officer contacted the company, Laney had apparently called in sick.

It was a different story on Monday when Laney was at work as was Bangor police Officer Ed Potter. A supervisor directed Potter to Laney, who he was told also went by the name Chris .

Potter arrested Laney who eventually admitted to being Cocchiaro. The officer seized as evidence two checks with Laney’s name on them.

Texas authorities said they will extradite Cocchiaro who faces probation revocation, according to a police report.

A Veazie couple came home Monday after being away for a few days only to discover something was blocking their chimney.

Inside they could hear some scratching and something crawling about.

The blockage was a live cat that had used up at least one of its nine lives after falling down the chimney. Veazie police Officer John Dall estimated that the cat fell 30 feet down the chimney.

A stove attached to the chimney was pulled out and Dall and Lt. Mark Leonard managed to extricate the cat, who Dall said was in good shape. The cat, which Dall described as a “real nice money cat” didn’t belong to the Wood Lane couple and has been turned over to the town’s animal control officer.

Dall said the cat has been nicknamed Smokey.

A man living at the Main Street Inn in Bangor faces several charges after it was reported he smashed a window and then struggled with police who were trying to quiet him down Sunday night.

Timothy Pooler was found kneeling by a portable CD player inside Room 36, his right hand wrapped in a towel and bleeding. Officer Erik Tall reported that it was obvious that Pooler was intoxicated, as even kneeling, he was having difficulty keeping his balance.

Plus there was the strong odor of alcohol in the air, Pooler’s eyes were glassy and his girlfriend reported that she came back that night and found that he had been drinking.

Pooler became belligerent when asked to stand up so Tall could talk to him. “I’m going to play a … song,” Pooler told Tall, who recommended that the man not play the stereo at that hour. Pooler reiterated his intentions and played the song on full volume.

Tall unplugged the CD player and when Pooler appeared to be squaring off against him, Tall grabbed his right arm and moved him away. A struggle ensued with Pooler telling Tall and several other officers “Come on.”

The officers pushed Pooler onto the bed and then placed him face down on the floor where they could handcuff him. He continued to struggle on the way to the cruiser and at a hospital where he was treated for two cuts on his hand, Tall reported.

Pooler’s girlfriend told Officer George Spencer that Pooler had become angry and punched a glass door. He was charged with disorderly conduct, criminal mischief and refusing to submit to arrest.

– Compiled by NEWS reporter Doug Kesseli