Bangor Daily News
BANGOR, Maine — A local man who witnesses said had used “bath salts,” a newly outlawed synthetic drug, told police last week that he had a gun in an apparent attempt to commit “suicide by cop,” according to Sgt. Larry Webber.
“The guy was saying, ‘Why didn’t you shoot me — that’s why I told you I had a gun,’” Webber said Wednesday, reading from Officer Kevin Haefele’s report.
James Green, 29, was reportedly tapping on windows at a Bolling Drive apartment where his girlfriend was when police were called around 7 p.m. July 6.
When Haefele arrived, Green “seemed very nervous” and was fiddling with his waistline when “he stated he had a gun,” Webber said.
Haefele took cover behind a tree and then pursued Green on foot down Bolling Drive, and quickly took him into custody with the help of fellow officers.
“There was no gun,” Webber said.
Officer John Robinson suffered a minor rib injury while assisting in the capture of Green, who resisted arrest and was placed into leg restraints, the sergeant said.
“Witnesses said the guy had been abusing bath salts earlier in the day,” Webber said.
Bath salts, a designer drug that became illegal in Maine at the beginning of July, usually contains mephedrone or Methylenedioxypyrovalerone, also known as MDPV. Police, doctors and emergency responders have reported signs of paranoia, hallucinations, convulsions and psychotic behavior in users of the drug.
Green was charged with felony criminal threatening for saying, “‘I’ve got a gun,’ even though he didn’t have one,” Webber said, and also faces charges of disorderly conduct and obstructing government administration.
Green was taken to the Penobscot County Jail after his arrest. He could face up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $5,000 if convicted of the criminal threatening charge. (Nok-Noi Ricker, BDN)
A local man who is out on bail for burglary is back behind bars, this time for drug possession, Bangor police Lt. Jeff Millard said.
Police arrested Jerimy Grindle, 34, on Tuesday evening when Detective Dave Bushey discovered he was under the influence of monkey dust, also known as bath salts, the lieutenant said.
"[Grindle] was walking on Bolling Drive, the officer spoke to him [and] he was making incoherent statements,” said Millard.
The conditions of Grindle’s bail prohibited him from possessing alcohol or drugs, and when Bushey searched the suspect, the detective found a white powdery substance in his possession.
Grindle subsequently was placed under arrest and charged with a Class C violation of bail and taken to Penobscot County Jail, where he remained on Thursday.
Millard said that Grindle has no prior arrests for drugs.
Copyright 2011 Bangor Daily News