By Kathy McCarty Staff Writer
PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — Local police got more than they bargained for Sunday night when a routine traffic stop resulted in four arrests, following a sequence of events that would be suitable for an episode of the TV series “Cops” or the basis for a college thesis on chaos theory (the branch of mathematics that deals with complex systems whose behavior is highly sensitive to slight changes in conditions, so that small alterations can give rise to strikingly great consequences). Chief Matt Irwin, of the Presque Isle Police Department, said it all started when officers saw Robbie McPherson, 37, out driving while his license was suspended. What followed was a chain of events that the chief said was worthy of a television show.
“You can’t make this stuff up,” he said, as he explained what transpired Nov. 24. “During the traffic stop the officer saw some drug paraphernalia, which led to finding drugs, which earned McPherson a ride to the police station.”
While McPherson, whose last known residence was listed as Westfield, was at the PIPD, Irwin said one of his friends “swung into action.”
“Don Hanson, who’s around 33 and believed to be a resident of Presque Isle, caught a ride with Lisa McDonald, 23, also from Presque Isle, convincing McDonald, who had outstanding drug charges, to help Hanson clean McPherson’s home before police arrived,” said Irwin, noting at that point in time, police had not considered going to McPherson’s residence.
Irwin said when McDonald exited her car however, Hanson reportedly took off with it, leading McDonald to file a report.
“That led to an officer arresting her for outstanding charges,” said Irwin.
Police were advised to be on the lookout for the reportedly stolen vehicle.
“Hanson was found gassing up McDonald’s car and arrested for taking the car, drug charges and violation of condition of release. And by this time, another woman, Chelsea Webb, 25, of the Presque Isle area, was found in the car with Hanson. Webb also had outstanding charges for which she was arrested,” said Irwin.
Irwin said unlike most people in the general public, who rarely have reason to interact with police beyond an occasional traffic stop or fender bender, this group of individuals are well-acquainted with law enforcement.
“Since 2011, the Presque Isle Police Department, for one reason or another, has met them for a combined total of about 80 times that we’ve documented,” said Irwin.
What began as a simple traffic stop, resulted in a chain of events that will have these four facing the consequences in court.
