Police alert parents to suspicious adults near kids

The Maine State Police are asking parents in Greater Bangor to report any suspicious activity involving adults photographing or watching children at play.

State police and the Penobscot County Sheriff’s Department have received a number of reports in recent weeks from parents whose children said they were being photographed or observed by adults in cars. Police are asking parents or adults to report any strange activity.

Communities affected by the advisory are primarily north of Bangor and include Hudson, Alton, Bradford, Atkinson, Dover-Foxcroft and communities in between.

The suspicious vehicles have been described as a black Chevrolet Cavalier or a brown Chevrolet or GMC pickup truck possibly with a red or off-color door, although police recommend residents report any suspicious activity.

Trooper Marc Poulin said police simply want parents to be aware of recent reports. He asked that, whenever possible, callers provide as much identifying information about the vehicles, license plates or the passengers.

Police continue to investigate the incidents.

“We don’t know if they’re related, if it’s just an isolated incident or if there’s a legitimate reason for it,” Poulin said.

Reports can be made by calling (800) 432-7381 or 866-2121. (Kevin Miller, BDN)

A Pittsfield man was being sought Tuesday after he escaped during an arrest attempt the night before.

Andrew Webber, 20, was sought on two counts of assault on a police officer, escape, failure to submit to arrest, violation of bail conditions, operating a vehicle after suspension and being a habitual offender.

Officer Michael Cote said Tuesday that he and Officer Jeff Vanadestine had gone to Webber’s Washington Street home about 11 p.m. Monday with an arrest warrant.

Cote said both officers had dealt with Webber in the past and that he always had been cooperative. That was not the case Monday, Cote said. “He became very agitated and began fighting with us,” Cote said.

At one point, the officers allowed Webber’s mother to speak to him in an attempt to calm him down. “That was a big mistake,” Cote said. “We did that out of respect but it didn’t work.”

Eventually the officers sprayed Webber with pepper spray but he continued to wrestle with the police and eventually ran out of the open front door.

Cote and Vanadestine were assisted in the search for Webber by Pittsfield Sgt. Timothy Roussin and officers Jason Emery, Shane Barker and Somerset County Deputy Wilfred Dodge. A state police dog was unable to pick up a trail, Cote said.

Webber is described at 6 feet, 1 inch tall, 200 pounds with brown hair and brown eyes. He was last seen wearing a brown polo shirt and long shorts. Anyone with information is asked to call the Pittsfield Police Department at 487-3101. (Sharon Kiley Mack, BDN)

Old Town police are warning residents to lock their car doors at night after a rash of thefts of items from unlocked vehicles.

“Saturday night was the worst one,” Old Town Police Capt. Kyle Smart said Tuesday. “We had at least 12 or 14.”

For the past four weeks, there has been at least one vehicle entered illegally and all thefts have occurred during the overnight hours.

“Every one of the cars they get in have been unlocked,” Smart said.

The thieves don’t typically take large items, but look for small things out in the open and easy to carry, such as change in an ashtray, cell phones, CDs, and wallets.

“Don’t leave valuables laying in your car and lock your doors at night,” Smart said. (Aimee Dolloff, BDN)