By Kathy McCarty
Staff Writer
PRESQUE ISLE — A Caribou man is facing several charges after he was arrested twice in one night by Presque Isle police.
As the result of a traffic stop around 9:10 p.m. on Wednesday, May 16, Officer Kevin Reed, PIPD, arrested Stephen M. Melbourne, 21, of Caribou for operating under the influence. According to the police log, Reed observed Melbourne’s vehicle excessively speeding on Lenfest Street, which led to the officer stopping the driver. Reed reportedly detected the smell of alcohol and marijuana.
“I observed that Melbourne displayed signs of impairment,” stated Reed. Melbourne was subsequently tested, giving Reed probable cause to believe Melbourne was impaired and could not operate a motor vehicle safely. When tested for intoxication, Melbourne was determined to be operating at more than twice the legal limit.
Melbourne was charged with OUI, sale and use of drug paraphernalia and illegal possession of marijuana. He was given a Presque Isle District Court date of July 18 and released on personal recognizance, with conditions to include not operating a motor vehicle until 7 a.m. the next morning.
Three males from Presque Isle, ages 17, 18 and 20, were passengers in Melbourne’s vehicle but were not charged in the incident.
About two and a half hours later, at 11:51 p.m., Reed spotted the same car he’d stopped Melbourne in earlier, a 2005 Honda Accord — which is registered to Melbourne — operating on North Main Street. He recognized the driver and vehicle as the same car he’d stopped earlier in the night. Reed pulled the vehicle over again and re-arrested Melbourne for violating condition of release.
Per release conditions and suspecting Melbourne was still too impaired to operate a motor vehicle safely, Reed tested Melbourne again and determined his intoxication was still more than twice the legal limit. Melbourne’s vehicle was towed by B/C Towing. Bail was set at $1,000 cash or $20,000 surety, with a sober release. Melbourne was transported to the Caribou Police Department for holding.
Review of Melbourne’s license information revealed his license was suspended for failure to maintain insurance. Melbourne was charged accordingly by Caribou Police Officer Jay Trainer, on behalf of Reed.
