Portland man arrested on OUI charge outside bar

A Portland man was arrested and charged with operating while under the influence of intoxicants early Wednesday morning outside Benjamin’s bar in Bangor, and a passenger in the vehicle was charged with disorderly conduct and refusal to submit to arrest or detention.

Gavin Speaker, 21, was arrested after he allegedly failed sobriety tests after parking his car and trying to enter Benjamin’s.

Officer Wade Betters of the Bangor Police Department observed a vehicle revving its engine near the Margaret Chase Smith Federal Building on Harlow Street. Betters reported seeing the car then make an abrupt right turn into the Abbot Square parking lot. Betters said the vehicle came to an abrupt stop as it parked. Betters parked his police car in the adjacent spot.

Betters observed as Speaker and his male passenger walked toward Benjamin’s. Speaker almost fell over while reaching for the door, according to Betters. Betters approached Speaker and asked what he was doing. Speaker reportedly responded, “Fine, how are you?”

After asking him what he was doing again, and getting the same response, Betters asked Speaker to take a sobriety test. Betters stopped the test prematurely because he thought Speaker was in physical danger when he tried to stand on one leg.

Speaker was then arrested and brought to Bangor police station where his blood alcohol content was found to be .17 percent. He was taken to Penobscot County Jail and charged with OUI.

While Speakers was taking the sobriety test, his male passenger, Dave Williams, 21, of Newport allegedly declared to Officer Brad Hanson, who had arrived to assist Betters, that the tests were not possible even in a sober state. Hanson then gave Williams a disorderly conduct warning.

As Hanson walked away Williams reportedly told Hanson that he did not have to be quiet. Hanson proceeded to warn Williams again, and once again walked away. Williams then allegedly yelled at Hanson that nobody asked his opinion.

Hanson warned Williams again, and once again turned his back to Williams. Williams then reportedly called out an obscenity. Officer Brandon Vafiades, who had also responded, and Hanson then approached Williams and informed him he was under arrest. The two officers asked Williams to put his hands behind his back and turn around. Williams allegedly replied, “No,” and put his hands at his side.

Hanson warned Williams that if he continued to resist he would be sprayed with OC spray. Hanson then reached for Williams’ left wrist, at which time Williams pulled his wrist away and said, “I don’t think so,” according to Hanson’s report.

Hanson then sprayed the pepper spray in Williams’ face. Williams then immediately put his hands behind his back and allowed himself to be handcuffed, Hanson reported. Hanson also added that Williams apologized several times while being handcuffed.

Williams was brought to Penobscot County Jail and charged with disorderly conduct and refusing to submit to arrest or detention.

A Veazie man was arrested late Tuesday for violating conditions of his probation after a Veazie police officer reportedly found he was in possession of marijuana.

Shane Rolfe, 21, was pulled over by Veazie police Officer Michael Adams on Stillwater Avenue in Veazie for driving at a speed of 61 mph in a 45 mph zone, according to Adams. Adams said he recognized Rolfe, who he knew was on probation. Adams asked if he could search Rolfe’s Pontiac Grand Prix. Rolfe reportedly consented to the request.

Adams reportedly found a small baggie containing a useable amount of marijuana in the car’s glove compartment. Rolfe’s probation officer was contacted, and Rolfe was brought to Penobscot County Jail and charged with violating conditions of probation, as well as possession of a useable amount of marijuana.

Adams added that Rolfe was cooperative throughout the arrest.

– Compiled by

NEWS reporter Josh Keefe