Abandoned vehicle full of drugs

SHERMAN (AP) — Officials say Border Patrol agents in Maine seized cash and drugs from a vehicle found abandoned near an Interstate 95 checkpoint in the town of Sherman.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection says $29,000 cash, approximately 146 grams of methamphetamine, and approximately 90 grams of an unidentified white powder were seized Sunday from a Ford Mustang found abandoned near the checkpoint.

Sherman is about 80 miles (129 kilometers) northeast of Bangor and about 30 miles (48 kilometers) west of the Canadian border.

The driver of the vehicle was not located. The investigation is continuing.

Motorcycle collides with carriage

JEFFERSON (AP) — A motorcyclist has been seriously injured after colliding with the back of a horse-drawn carriage in Jefferson.

The Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office says glare from the setting sun may have been a factor in the crash Wednesday evening.

The motorcycle hit the left rear of the buggy carrying three Amish men as it was going up a hill on Route 32, also known as Waldoboro Road. The motorcyclist, 38-year-old Stephen Grant, of Thomaston, was taken to the hospital in Damariscotta and then flown to Maine Medical Center in Portland.

Two of the passengers of the carriage from Whitefield, Maine, were treated for injuries at the scene. A sheriff’s office detective says the horse had minor injuries and was lame.

Rash of burglaries in Portland

PORTLAND (AP) — A rash of burglaries has hit restaurants and stores in the city of Portland.

The Portland Press Herald reports that police have confirmed at least a half dozen break-ins since July 28.

Bryna Gootkind said the breakfast-lunch restaurant she co-owns in the East End was hit early Saturday morning. She said the register and safe were missing, meaning a loss of between $700 and $1,000. She says tablets and laptops in the restaurants were left undisturbed.

Portland Police Lt. Robert Martin says he doesn’t know if the burglaries are connected. He said some were similar with restaurants broken into and their registers emptied while some were different. Property was damaged in some cases.

Among the victims are Maine Oyster Co., Maine Juice Co., Wallace James Clothing, and Little Tap House.

Castle Hill investigation continues

CASTLE HILL – Law enforcement officials continue to investigate a double homicide in the Aroostook County town of Castle Hill.

State Police and several other Aroostook police agencies continue to investigate this week’s double homicide in Castle Hill. Detectives and evidence techs have continued to gather evidence and conduct interviews. The State Police Crime Lab in Augusta also has been involved with analyzing items brought there from investigators during the week.

In addition to State Police, the Aroostook County Sheriff’s Office has been involved in the investigation since early Tuesday morning. Sheriff Shawn Gillen has attended many of the police briefings to update investigators on the case, and deputies have also been involved in additional security efforts and patrols in Castle Hill and Mapleton.  

Other agencies assisting investigators this week with resources and personnel have been the police departments of Presque Isle, Caribou, Limestone and Ashland. Maine Drug Enforcement Agents and the Maine Warden Service also have involved in the case. Law enforcement officials maintained an increased presence in the area over the weekend.

Residents who have concerns or information are encouraged to continue to call State Police in Houlton – 532-5400.