MAINE: State Police report OUI arrests for June 2020; Melinda Smith busted by Trooper Jeffrey Taylor

Maine State Police squad car

Trooper struck by fleeing impaired driver

Robert-Belmain-53-of-Caribou-charged-with-striking-trooper-and-OUI-Maine-State-Police

On Sunday, June 14, 2020, at 4:35 pm the Maine State Police received a report of a green sports car with no registration plates failing to maintain its proper lane and driving erratically on Interstate 95 near mile marker 140 southbound in the town of Clinton.
 
A Trooper from Troop C located the vehicle on the interstate in Waterville and conducted a traffic stop after witnessing the reported erratic operation. Once the vehicle was stopped the Trooper attempted to identify the operator and noticed he was alone in the vehicle.

The driver failed to remain at the scene, and a pursuit took place as the vehicle continued to operate erratically. Troopers from Troop D assisted in the pursuit as the vehicle continued south on Interstate 95 into Augusta where the operator exited at mile marker 113 and proceeded east on Route 3.

Trooper Mickael Nunez, a 3-year Trooper with the department, was outside of his vehicle as he attempted to deploy a tire deflating spike mat on Route 3 in China when the offending vehicle struck him at a high rate of speed. The offending vehicle then crashed, and the operator was later identified as Robert Belmain (53) of Caribou. Belmain was brought to Central Maine Medical Center in Lewiston for injuries sustained in the crash. Tr. Nunez was brought to Maine General Medical Center in Augusta and is undergoing surgery for a broken leg. He is listed in stable condition.
 
Charges are pending against Robert Belmain for Failure to Maintain Proper Lane, Criminal Speed, Eluding, Failing to Submit to Arrest/Detention, Destruction of Evidence, Reckless Conduct, Operating Under the Influence, Driving to Endanger, Possession of a Scheduled Drug, Sale/Use of Drug Paraphernalia, Operating After Suspension-Habitual Offender and Violating Conditions of Release.
 

On 06/06/2020, Tr. Loder arrested Richard Stevens (53) of Old Orchard Beach for OUI-Liquor. Tr. Williams assisted.

On 06/06/2020, after receiving several traffic complaints about a vehicle that was all over the road and struck a guardrail, Tr. Darcy stopped the vehicle southbound on the turnpike in Kennebunk. As a result, the driver, Marie Forbes (56) of Hampton, NH was charged with OUI.

 On 06/07/2020, at approximately 0645, Tr. Duda and Sgt. Pappas responded to a single-vehicle crash near mile marker 61 northbound. The lone female driver, Meaghan Grunst (25) of Massachusetts appeared to be under the influence. Grunst was transported to Maine Medical Center with complaints of pain. Grunst was charged with OUI. Blood draw results are pending.

Trooper Keith York responded to a crash in Trescott where it was reported that a vehicle was spinning its tires in the roadway and caught on fire.  The operator, Nicholas Hatt (23) of Lubec, was arrested for Operating Under the Influence of Drugs.  Baileyville Police Department assisted as a Drug Recognition Expert.

On 06/01/2020, Tr. Davis and Sgt. Pappas responded to a vehicle fire at mile marker 81 in Lewiston. The operator drove off the roadway, striking the embankment, then rolled the vehicle which caught on fire. The operator, Trevor Sylvester of East Falmouth, MA, was transported to Central Maine Medical Center. Sylvester was charged with OUI.

06-19-20

Trooper Travis Chapman responded to Lamoine where it was reported that someone had shot the window of a residence. The window was broken but there was no bullet or other evidence found on scene. The investigation is ongoing.

Trooper Jeffrey Taylor arrested Melinda Smith (62) of Machias for Operating Under the Influence as result of a traffic complaint.

06-20-20

Sergeant Jeff Ingemi arrested Molly Erickson (40) of Machiasport, for Operating Under the Influence of Alcohol after a traffic stop in Marshfield.  

On 6/12/2020, Tr. Parks and Tr. Wilkinson investigated an erratic operation complaint at MM 53 NB. Emily Winn (30) of West Newfield was subsequently arrested for OUI (Drugs) and VCR.

On 05/23/2020, Tr. Duda investigated a vehicle stopped in the road prior to the 42 entrance ramp in Scarborough. The female operator, Nicole Boothby (35) of Alfred, was crawling around in her vehicle looking for her E-ZPass. Boothby had been drinking earlier in the evening and was ultimately arrested for operating under the influence. She was brought to the Cumberland County Jail for a breath test, which she refused to take. She was charged with operating under the influence of intoxicating beverages.