Bangor police were busy late Saturday afternoon, receiving reports of nearly 20 accidents in a span of about two hours.

When snow began falling around 3 p.m. Saturday, calls poured into the police station regarding accidents and cars sliding off the road. However, none of the accidents were considered serious and only two involved minor injuries, police said.

Hampden police had another eight accident reports during the same time period, between 3:30 and 5:30 p.m. Penobscot County dispatchers reported about a dozen accidents throughout the county.

Two shoplifters were arrested early Saturday evening at Wal-Mart in Bangor after they were caught allegedly trying to steal more than $1,000 in items from the store.

Jeremey Burrill, 24, and Shawnna Beaulieu, 22, both of Exeter, each were charged with theft. Most of the items were video games, music CDs and movies.

Burrill was out on bail for an operating under the influence conviction, and Beaulieu has been charged with theft on at least two other occasions, according to a police report.

A man who refused to leave the area of Hollywood Slots was arrested Saturday after being warned repeatedly to do so.

Richard Yost, 42, of Portland had wandered over to the racino from nearby Raena’s Pub, according to police. He reportedly was intoxicated, and slots employees told him he would not be allowed inside.

Yost remained outside. When Bangor police Officer James Dearing arrived, he warned Yost that he would be charged with trespassing if he didn’t leave.

Yost stayed and Dearing arrested him.

A local man who was accused of stealing items from the Shaw’s on Main Street in Bangor on Saturday evening was arrested when police reportedly learned he had several active warrants.

Rufus Gideon, 19, was spotted by a security officer taking $12 in items and concealing them in his clothing, according to a police report. Gideon then left the store through an emergency exit and was caught by the security officer, who called police.

Bangor police Officer James Dearing asked Gideon for identification and when the officer ran the name through his system, warrants for burglary to a motor vehicle and theft out of Waldo County turned up.

Gideon was taken to Penobscot County Jail.

– Compiled by BDN reporter Eric Russell