Newport police – with help from a local grocery store manager – said they caught a Bangor man Friday trying to steal more than $200 worth of groceries from Bud’s Shop ‘N Save.

Mike Williams, 40, was arrested around 1:30 p.m. Friday, Newport police Chief Leonard Macdaid said, after the grocery manager, Bruce Bowden, chased the man out of the store and up Main Street.

Williams allegedly loaded a cart with about $200 worth of groceries and then left the store, where a getaway car was parked for him near the exit. Williams didn’t get to the car because Bowden got to him first.

“I guess if I was going to steal I wouldn’t do it from that store,” Macdaid said, praising the efforts of the store manager.

Macdaid added that Williams tried the same thing last week and got away with it. Police were called Feb. 17 after a man stole about $250 in groceries from the store. The Feb. 17 theft was captured on surveillance tape, the chief said, which is why Bowden was able to identify Williams.

Williams was arrested and taken to the Penobscot County Jail, where he was charged with two counts of theft. He also had an active warrant for assault, Macdaid said.

Bangor police Officers Kerry Libby and Josh Ouellette went to the scene of an alleged assault at a Second Street apartment after receiving an anonymous tip at about 7 p.m. Friday.

When police knocked, a 24-year-old woman answered the door crying and talking on a cell phone. She stated that she was on the phone with Spruce Run, a shelter for abused women, and that she had just returned from there that morning.

The woman said David Williams, 37, of Bangor had come home around 7 p.m. and smelled of alcohol. He was angry that she had been at Spruce Run, according to police reports. He then allegedly began to push her around the apartment.

Williams stated that he had only been writing a letter and that she had just “flipped out.” He said he had not hit her.

It was reported that Williams also had a machete and a firearm in the apartment. When police searched, two large knives were found but a firearm was not located.

The officers determined that there was probable cause for arrest and transported Williams to the Penobscot County Jail, where he was charged with assault and criminal mischief.

A Columbia Falls man was arrested around 6 p.m. Thursday after he drove into two parked cars outside Spanky’s Pizza on the corner of Main and Walter streets, Bangor police said.

Richard Greenlaw, 38, of Columbia Falls was reportedly seen staggering away from the scene and toward Hollywood Slots. He was looking for his friends and told them he had “banged up their car a bit,” according to police reports.

Police found Greenlaw in Room 54 of the Main Street Inn. He stated he had been drinking but was not driving.

According to reports, Greenlaw had earlier told the owner of the car that someone had jumped out in front of him and he had to swerve, but when questioned again he could not remember why he swerved or that he had told anyone that someone jumped in front of him.

Greenlaw failed field sobriety tests and officers found that his license was suspended. He was arrested and brought to Bangor Police Department for an Intoxilyzer test. His blood alcohol level was 0.19 percent.

Greenlaw was transported to the Penobscot County Jail, where he was charged with operating while under the influence and operating after suspension.

A Bangor man was arrested early Friday morning after police pulled him over on Savage Street in Bangor.

Pat Beane, 47, told Officer Jason Stuart that he was coming from the “racetrack,” according to reports, but the officer had observed his vehicle leaving the vicinity of Raena’s Pub earlier.

When the officer asked Beane for his license, registration and proof of insurance, he noticed Beane had poor dexterity, and it took several requests to get all of the documentation.

Beane failed field sobriety tests and was arrested after dispatch reported that there was an arrest warrant out for him, that his license had been suspended, and that he had at least two prior convictions of operating while under the influence.

An Intoxilyzer test was given, and his blood alcohol level was 0.21 percent.

Beane was transported to the Penobscot County Jail and charged with operating while under the influence and operating after suspension.

Officer Jason Stuart responded to a report of transients sleeping in a hallway at 6 Broad St. in Bangor at approximately 2:18 a.m. Friday.

Stuart located the transients and arrested one of them, Joshua Fuller, 25, after dispatch reported there was a warrant out for his arrest.

Fuller was handcuffed and transported to the Penobscot County Jail.

Alcohol was involved in the incident, police said.

– Compiled by BDN reporters Chelsey Ledue and Eric Russell