Police seize pot from Corinth man’s home

Penobscot and Piscataquis County sheriff’s departments and the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency seized marijuana plants and arrested a Corinth man Wednesday afternoon.

Chief Deputy Troy Morton of the Penobscot County Sheriff’s Department said Deputies Doug Smith and James Kennedy, along with officers from Piscatiquis County and the DEA, executed a search warrant at a home on the Ridge Road in Corinth.

The officers found a small room full of drying marijuana buds, amounting to what Morton speculated was five to 10 pounds of the drug. Morton said 48 live plants were found growing near the home.

Gilbert Townsend, 21, who resides at the home searched, came home while the search was in progress and was arrested on a charge of aggravated trafficking in marijuana. Morton said the charge was made more serious because a firearm was found in the residence.

Morton said the search is part of a yearly marijuana eradication program, which often involves many police agencies cooperating to find and seize marijuana where it is known or believed to be cultivated.

Morton said his department encourages the public not to approach marijuana plants growing outdoors, because growers have been known to set booby traps to protect their crop. He said if you find a plant that you think might be marijuana to call your local police department.

A Bar Harbor man’s Chevrolet truck went off the road and rolled over in Bangor Wednesday morning after a collision with a Bangor woman’s car.

Bangor police Officer Larry Morrill reported that at about 9:15 a.m. he went to an accident on Broadway.

According to George Burns, 45, of Bar Harbor and other witnesses, Burns had been driving out of town on Broadway and attempted to drive straight through the green light at the intersection with Burleigh Road, but his truck was hit by a car moving west on Burleigh.

Morrill said Marilyn Marsh, 54, of Bangor claimed she had a green light when she went through the intersection. Marsh said she just saw a “black flash,” and then her airbags went off.

Morrill said he examined the intersection and found skidmarks from Marsh’s car that started just past the stop line and continued for almost 40 feet until they passed the point of impact.

Morrill said the marks indicated that Marsh had started to react just before entering the intersection, contrary to her statement. Morrill said the marks also suggested Marsh was moving at a speed greater than the posted 25 mph.

Burns’ truck, lying upside down next to the road, was totaled, Morrill said. Marsh’s car received about $5,000 in damage. Morrill said both drivers were wearing seat belts, and that while Burns was unhurt, Marsh complained of pain in her face.

Bangor police arrested a Holden woman early Wednesday after she allegedly rear-ended a parked car and drove away.

Officer Brandon Vafiades reported that at about half-past midnight he stopped a car that was driving unusually slow on Center Street. Vafiades said the compact car had extensive front-end damage.

Vafiades said the driver claimed to be all right. Her air bags had deployed, and she was unsteady on her feet, Vafiades said, and she smelled of alcohol.

Officer Jason Stuart took over the case and interviewed the driver, identified as Mia Ippoliti, 22. She allegedly said she had drunken two shots of vodka, one beer and a mixed drink.

Stuart said Ippoliti consented to sobriety tests but said it didn’t matter “’cause I know I’m drunk.”

After being checked out by emergency medical personnel because of pain in her face and neck, Ippoliti was taken to the police station and summoned for operating under the influence.

Officer Dennis Townsend reported that damage to Ippoliti’s car and to the car she reportedly struck amounted to about $2,000 apiece.

– Compiled by NEWS reporter Isaac Kimball