Staff Writer
A police pursuit that led law enforcement from Mapleton to Presque Isle on Saturday, July 5, ended when officers arrested a Mapleton man, Robert Bowring, 25, on numerous charges. “The Bowring incident started in Mapleton when Bowring was caught doing damage and criminal trespassing in an apartment owned by Glendon Braley, over the House of Pizza,” said Sgt. Dave McPherson, of the Maine State Police.
According to McPherson, Bowring and his girlfriend had been legally evicted from the apartment but Bowring continued to “secretively return.”
“State Police were looking for Bowring when the Presque Isle Police Department received a complaint of him going wild near Wal-Mart,” McPherson said.
At approximately 1 p.m. Saturday, the PIPD received several 9-1-1 reports concerning the suspect.
“Information at the time of the calls indicated that he (Bowring) was in a car with his mother and that they were in Mapleton or Presque Isle on the State Road. Reports alleged that Robert was under the influence of drugs and alcohol, and as the passenger in the vehicle, he was out of control and threatening his mother and himself with bodily injury,” said Officer Kevin Reed, lead investigator on the case for the PIPD.
Officer Shawn Newell responded to the State Road but did not come into contact with the car, said Reed. A short time later, police received another call from the mother stating she and Bowring were in Presque Isle.
“At approximately 1:10 p.m., PIPD received a 9-1-1 call from Robert’s mother stating that they were parked in the ACAP parking lot, that Bowring was out of control and threatening to hurt himself and her. I responded to the location and found the car but no sign of Bowring,” said Reed.
The mother advised Reed her son had punched out the windshield of her car and ran into Wal-Mart.
“She stressed that Bowring was violent and was on drugs and alcohol. Officer Newell and Sgt. McPherson arrived on scene moments after I requested backup,” Reed explained.
After advising store management and security, police conducted a search of the facility.
“We had store employees secure any potential weapons, such as guns and knives in the sporting goods section,” said Reed.
About 20 minutes into the search, Reed said police dispatch received another 9-1-1 call reporting Bowring was in the vicinity of NAPA off Main St.
“Officers located Bowring in the back parking lot of NAPA, where he was apprehended by Sgt. McPherson. Bowring refused to submit to arrest and fought with officers, which resulted in the deployment of the Taser device by Officer Newell in order to gain control of Bowring and end the threat against officers,” said Reed.
McPherson said Bowring struggled and made arrest difficult.
“Bowring was combative, disorderly and resisted throughout the entire arrest. PIPD used a Taser on Bowring to get him to submit to arrest,” said McPherson.
According to McPherson, Bowring was transported to The Aroostook Medical Center “to be medically cleared.”
While at the hospital, Bowring “continued to be very disorderly and combative,” said McPherson.
“Bowring was arrested on numerous charges by the MSP and PIPD, including: violating condition of release, Class E; criminal mischief, Class D; refusing to submit to arrest, Class D; criminal threatening, Class D; disorderly conduct, Class E; and criminal trespass.
“After being medically cleared, I and Trooper Brian Harris transported Bowring to the Aroostook County Jail, with bail set at $10,000 surety,” said McPherson.
McPherson said Tuesday that Bowring had not made bail and remained at the ACJ, awaiting his court date.
McPherson said Bowring gave a brief explanation for his behavior.
“Bowring stated that he was upset over breaking up with his girlfriend,” said McPherson.
“Bowring was not afforded the opportunity for bail, as he had violated his bail. He was given a Presque Isle District Court Date of Sept. 3, 2008,” said Reed.
