Man dives in river to elude police Transient apprehended after Brewer launches Fire Department’s boat

A transient man stopped by Brewer police for driving without a license fled Thursday night, diving into the Penobscot River and climbing aboard a moored boat in an effort to elude officers.

But authorities on both sides of the river had their lights and eyes fixed on 21-year-old Jon Atwood as he swam in the river. A Brewer Fire Department rescue boat was launched, allowing Brewer and Bangor police to recapture Atwood.

Brewer police Cpl. Jason Moffitt said he stopped Atwood’s car on South Main Street by the Dead River Oil Co. after authorities were tipped off that he would be driving the green Dodge Avenger with temporary plates on it. Moffitt said the plates were improperly placed on the car.

Atwood and two passengers insisted he was someone else, but Moffitt said the driver didn’t match the description of the man he claimed to be, although he did match a photograph that was brought from the police station, where it had been filed.

Moffitt had already searched Atwood for weapons with no problem and told Atwood that he was going to be handcuffed as a precaution. But as Officer David Lord approached them from behind with handcuffs, Atwood apparently had other plans, telling the police, “No you’re not,” before he took off running.

Atwood, wearing baggy pants and moccasin slippers – which he quickly jettisoned – made a beeline for the river, Moffitt said, hitting the water, which was at high tide. He swam and eventually made his way to a boat where Bangor and Brewer police officers, riding in the rescue boat, found him in the cabin.

Atwood was charged with operating a motor vehicle after revocation, refusing to submit to an arrest or detention, violation of bail conditions and failure to give a correct name. Moffitt said a marijuana pipe, rolling papers and a marijuana roach were found inside the car, prompting another charge, that of possession of drug paraphernalia.

An armed man robbed a Bangor convenience store on Center Street Thursday evening, fleeing with an undisclosed amount of money, police said.

Few details were being released about the incident. Police described the man as being white and in his mid-20s.

The robber entered the store, brandished a weapon and demanded money from the clerk in the store, said Sgt. Paul Kenison. What kind of weapon was used and how much money was taken weren’t being released. It wasn’t clear whether the man fled on foot or in a motor vehicle.

Police were called to the Center Street store about 7:15 p.m., a short time after the robbery took place.

An Old Town teenager was taken to the hospital after the car she was driving went off the road and struck a rock wall Thursday, causing the car to become airborne and return to the road, Old Town police said.

The car ended up on its roof on Stillwater Avenue near the intersection with Center Street. Its driver, Jessica Ford, 17, received injuries, including ones to her arms, according to the police report.

Ford was heading east about 9:50 a.m. from Center Street onto Stillwater Avenue when she became distracted and drove off the road, reported Sgt. Michael Hashey.

– Compiled by NEWS reporter Doug Kesseli