Staff Writer
PRESQUE ISLE – What began as a routine call for Crown Ambulance turned into a standoff when a local man, armed with a gun, refused to come out of a residence on Mechanic St. The Presque Isle Police Department was contacted at around 1:05 p.m. on Friday, May 16, by 9-1-1 dispatch, reporting an ambulance had been requested for an unknown medical emergency.
“Dispatch advised something wasn’t right and wanted an officer to check the situation out,” said Sgt. Joey Seeley, of the PIPD. “In the meantime, Crown responded, emergency personnel went to the door and knocked several times and, looking through the door’s window, found a 66-year-old male sitting on the bed refusing to come out.”
Seeley said the crew tried to talk the man out of the residence but he kept shaking his head ‘no.’
“The man got up and grabbed what appeared to be a handgun. That’s when the crew retreated across the road and took shelter in a ditch,” said Seeley.
Officer Jeff Mechalko, of the PIPD, was the next person on the scene.
“We got a second call as we (the PIPD) arrived that a gun was involved. Jeff took a position near the home,” said Seeley.
The Maine State Police were notified of the situation, with Troopers Brian Harris and Rob Flynn and Sgt. Tom Pelletier contacted for assistance. Flynn blocked off the intersection of Federal and Mechanic streets.
“Sgts. Eric Erickson and Mark Barnes, of the PIPD, secured the perimeter. Eric removed a neighbor for safety reasons, while I tried to make cell phone contact,” said Seeley.
Seeley said several attempts to reach the man by cell phone were unsuccessful.
Chief Naldo Gagnon, of the PIPD, was also notified and responded to the scene.
“Contact was made with the State Police Tactical Team but it was later determined their services wouldn’t be necessary. Jeff, who served as primary investigator on the case, was able to make contact from his cruiser using the P.A. system. The man came out without incident and was voluntarily transported to The Aroostook Medical Center by Crown for treatment and evaluation.
Police were able to recover two pellet guns from the property following the man’s removal.
“The man’s identity is not being released since it appears to be a mental issue,” said Seeley.
Seeley indicated charges are unlikely given the man’s mental state.
