Newport man arrested on OUI charge after driving wrong way on Bangor road

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A Newport man was arrested early Friday morning in Bangor for operating a vehicle under the influence of intoxicants.

Michael E. Clement, 53, was leaving a store on the corner of State Street and Broadway at 12:55 a.m. when Bangor police realized that he turned left past a no left turn sign, according to a police report.

The vehicle proceeded down Broadway on the wrong side of the road. As Clement approached the intersection, he stopped, then continued across the wrong side of the road on Oak Street.

The officer on duty initiated a traffic stop, as there were oncoming vehicles headed Clement’s way.

As Officer Edward Mercier approached the car, a freshly sprayed scent of cologne wafted out the window, the report said.

Clement agreed that he was on the wrong side of the road, and Mercer asked the man to step out of the vehicle.

When trying to do so, Clement had difficulty opening the door, having to unlock it and pull the handle three times before exiting. He also had to use the vehicle as balance.

When asked if he had been drinking or on medication, Clement answered “No.” After his pupils didn’t react to the flashlight, Mercier again asked him if he were on medication, and he again answered “No.”

Clement was reported as being unsteady during the series of sobriety tests.

Clement said he and his passenger were going to the all-night Wal-Mart and had just left Newport.

When asked how he felt, Clement responded by saying he was very tired and on medication. Clement said he takes nine medications but couldn’t remember the names of them at the time, but did recall being on methadone.

The officer asked him why he hadn’t said he was on medications earlier, and Clement was confused by the question.

Clement was taken to Penobscot County Jail and charged with criminal OUI.

Police charged a Bangor man with theft by unauthorized taking Thursday night at Shaw’s Supermarket on Main Street in Bangor.

Jeremy A. Clarke, 22, was seen running out of the store with a bottle of liquor and no shopping bag, according to a police report.

The young male quickly placed the bottle in a row of planted flowers that were for sale on the sidewalk in front of Shaw’s and hid behind a brick beam nearby.

Officer Douglas Moore, who was on bike patrol, approached Clarke and asked him what he had placed in the flowers. Clarke responded, “nothing.”

The two walked over to the pot of flowers and found a bottle of coffee brandy. Clarke said he didn’t put the bottle there and the officer told Clarke he had seen him place the liquor there.

When Clarke offered to pay for the item, Officer Moore took the young man inside and spoke with the relief manager, who contacted the store manger. The relief manager informed Moore the store would press charges.

Two Bangor men were arrested Thursday evening at Pickering Square on numerous charges when an officer on bike patrol encountered suspicious behavior.

Eric J. Becker, 24, and Sean R. Hanson, 22, were downtown when Officer Shawn Green saw one of the men throw an article of clothing over a grocery bag next to him on a bench, a police report said.

Green was familiar with both males from prior encounters.

When Green approached them, he noticed Hanson’s pupils were constricted. When Green asked him what he was using, Hanson replied, “nothing.”

Three other officers arrived, arresting Hanson for an outstanding warrant and drinking in public. A glass marijuana pipe was also found on Hanson.

Becker, who was wearing mesh shorts, was patted down. Green pulled out Becker’s pockets, and without reaching inside, could see “several” needles in his left pocket. Becker said the needles had not been used and there were no drugs in them.

The report stated that the suspect’s pupils indicated the use of narcotics.

On a more thorough search, Green found a metal spoon, and an empty piece of cellophane in the front of Becker’s pants, both with white residue on them.

A test later revealed the substance was cocaine. A urine test later verified the use of several illegal drugs.

Becker was charged with possession of a Schedule W drug and drug paraphernalia, both offenses violating his probation.

Becker was taken to Penobscot County Jail.

– Compiled by BDN reporter Erinne Magee