Aroostook to buy anti-theft devices

HOULTON – Last month, a Mapleton woman allegedly stole a cruiser from the Aroostook County Sheriff’s Department, struck an officer as she tried to escape and drove the vehicle for a few miles before she abandoned it.

On Wednesday evening, Aroostook County commissioners took steps to assure that such an incident never happens again.

After little discussion, the group voted unanimously to purchase anti-theft devices for eight of the department’s rural patrol vehicles. The anti-theft devices will prevent anyone but the deputies from making the cruisers operational, according to the administrator.

The county will pay $719.60 for the devices. The price does not include installation.

“The sheriff [James P. Madore] has recommended that we make this purchase,” County Administrator Doug Beaulieu told the group. “I think this would be very cheap insurance against someone running away with one of our cars again.”

Jeanine Williams, 44, was charged with operating under the influence and unauthorized use of property after the incident on Sept. 13.

Police were considering adding more charges after she was apprehended.

Sgt. Forrest Dudley of the Sheriff’s Department first encountered Williams in the Smith Road-State Road area of Mapleton after the agency received a report of a possible drunken driver.

After determining that Williams was under the influence, Dudley handcuffed her and put her in the passenger seat of his cruiser, Madore said last month.

The agency’s policy is to take people into custody by handcuffing them and placing them in the front seat of the car. Deputy vehicles do not have cages to separate the front and back seats.

While Dudley was interviewing a witness, Williams reportedly maneuvered her hands in front of her, got in the driver’s seat of the cruiser and took off, allegedly hitting Dudley as she fled.

Because of Williams’ actions, level of impairment and the fact that Dudley’s shotgun was in the vehicle, the sergeant attempted to stop the car by shooting twice at the tires.

Police later arrested Williams near her Mapleton apartment. She was not wearing handcuffs when police apprehended her, and they were not sure how she removed the restraints.

The cruiser was recovered in Presque Isle, hidden on an all-terrain-vehicle trail near the middle school a few miles from where Dudley first stopped Williams.