By Tony Reaves
Sun Journal
BROWNFIELD, Maine — A former Bridgton reserve police officer has been charged with domestic violence assault and violating the conditions of release.
Michael L. Lothrop, 27, of Saco, was a reserve officer for the town of Bridgton until his resignation Aug. 2, the day after his domestic violence assault charge.
Lothrop was released after his arraignment Wednesday on $300 cash bail.
On Tuesday, while trying to make a follow-up call to the domestic violence report, Detective Thomas Harriman of the Oxford County Sheriff’s Office went to the alleged victim’s Brownfield house but saw there were no vehicles in the driveway, according to his report.
When Harriman went to the side door, he saw a male inside the house trying to hide. “It appeared the subject was on the couch, and the blanket was flying in the air as the subject ran to the corner of the room,” Harriman wrote.
Harriman called Lothrop and told him to come out and arrested him on a charge of violating a bail condition by returning to the home.
He was arrested Aug. 1 and charged with Class D domestic violence assault against the woman at her house. He was bailed on $100 and ordered to stay away from her and her home.
Lothrop has held several law enforcement positions. According to Lt. Michael McAllister of the Fryeburg police, Lothrop was a reserve officer there for several years but left last winter. Norway Police Chief Robert Federico hired him in 2005 as a full-time officer, but staff at the Norway Police Department said there is no record of him working there and no reports were filed under his name.
Lothrop also formerly worked as a dispatcher for the York County Sheriff’s Office.
He is due to appear in Bridgton District Court on Sept. 13 for the domestic assault charge and Oct. 11 for the violation of bail condition charge.
Copyright 2011 Sun Journal