Massachusetts man linked to robbery seeks to suppress interview

BANGOR – Dramatic descriptions of the capture of Marquis Craig in Portland last fall dominated a suppression hearing Monday at U.S. District Court.

Craig is one of five Massachusetts men indicted following an early morning armed robbery at the Budget Host motel in Waterville. The robbery took place on Nov. 27 with Craig considered a leader.

Four others involved in the robbery – two adults and two juveniles – were captured following a chase down Interstate 95. Craig bolted from the Interstate and was captured two days later in a dramatic scene at 7 Foxforth St.

Craig’s attorney, Wayne Foote of Bangor, is seeking to get a taped interview of Craig after his Nov. 29 capture in Portland suppressed. The government, represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Gail Malone and Nancy Torreson, argued against the suppression motion.

Magistrate Judge Margaret J. Kravchuk took the matter under advisement following a two-hour hearing.

Members of the Special Reaction Team of the Portland Police Department testified about Craig’s capture, an event that required tactical positioning by team members and snipers.

Sgt. Richard Betters said officers were dispatched to the four-story apartment building at 7 Foxforth St. in the evening of Nov 29. Police entered two apartments, one with a key and the other with a battering ram, where it was believed Craig was hiding. He eventually was found on the roof.

Once spotted, Craig leaped about 12 feet from the roof to a third floor deck. He was belligerent and uncooperative, according to testimony from Betters and other members of the SRT.

He was periodically sprayed with pepper spray but most of the liquid missed its mark, according to court testimony. With semi-automatic guns pointed at him, Craig swung over the balcony of the third floor and landed on a fire escape on the second floor. Along the way, he invited police to shoot him then threatened to “take out” any policeman that came after him, according to testimony at the hearing.

Craig sat quietly at a defendant’s table in the federal courtroom. Wearing glasses, he appeared alternately attentive and restless during the hearing. A minimum of three security officials remained in the courtroom on Harlow Street, two more than usual.

Sgt. Betters and others testified they didn’t believe Craig’s invitation to shoot him was a “suicide by cop” situation because he appeared belligerent, not depressed.

“I would characterize it as being more of a jerk than suicidal,” said Officer John Dumas of the Special Reaction Team.

Craig has a long criminal record in Massachusetts filled with theft and assault-on-an-officer convictions.

He and Dennis J. Mooney, 23 and Manuel A. Roderick, 22, are charged with various counts in connection with the robbery which netted them about $200. Information on the two juveniles connected to the crime has not been disclosed.