Articles by Mark LaFlamme
Minot woman seriously injured in Auburn crash
AUBURN, Maine — A Minot woman was injured Thursday afternoon when her car slid off Garfield Road and struck a tree hard enough to split the vehicle in two. Amber Brown, 25, was being treated at a Lewiston hospital Thursday night. Police and rescue crews were called to the scene ...
Body found in Androscoggin River may be missing man
AUBURN, Maine — A body found in the Androscoggin River on Saturday afternoon is believed to be that of a local man missing since the start of April, police said. Dan Doherty, 46, went missing the night of April 4, leaving his car, jacket and personal items near the Vietnam ...
Auburn pizza stores robbed, suspects sought
By Mark LaFlamme, Sun Journal on April 26, 2013, at 5:46 a.m.
AUBURN, Maine — Police and tracking dogs were on the hunt Thursday night for a man suspected of robbing the Domino’s pizza store on School Street. The robbery happened at about 9 p.m., minutes after a similar heist was attempted at Heathco’s pizza shop and variety store less than a ...
Accused crack dealer jailed in Lewiston
LEWISTON, Maine — Police say a Boston man was in the county jail Friday after he was caught dealing crack cocaine in a motel room in the company of a teenage girl and an infant. Ronald Theodat, 33, of Dorchester was being held on $25,000 cash bail Friday night after ...
Two Lewiston police officers hurt in scrum with suspect
LEWISTON, Maine — Two police officers were injured and a local man was arrested Friday afternoon in an altercation on Bartlett Street. It happened at about 4 p.m., police said, when they went to serve a protection-from-abuse order against Nicholas Begin, 26, of 222 Bartlett St. Begin took off running, ...
Man arrested after Lewiston woman attacked in apartment with knife
LEWISTON, Maine — A woman was attacked with a knife in her Blake Street apartment early Thursday and minutes later, police arrested a man on Elm Street more than a mile away. The victim was taken to Central Maine Medical Center, although the nature of her injuries was not immediately ...
Shaving your head for a sick Eddington boy is a cut above
Editor’s note: This Sun Journal column is about Camden Bryant of Eddington, featured in the Bangor Daily News on Jan. 26, 2013. I know what you’re thinking. You’re thinking: “By golly, Mark. You work so hard and do so much for the community. How do you find the time to ...
Masked student causes scare after running into Sabattus high school
SABATTUS, Maine – An Oak Hill High School student will be disciplined and officials may review the school’s lockdown policy following a scare Thursday afternoon. School officials said in a statement to parents Friday that a student who ran into the building in black clothing and a ski mask meant ...
Litchfield teen accused of sexually assaulting girl, 13, on school playground
AUBURN, Maine — A Litchfield man was in court Friday, accused of having sex chats via video with a 13-year-old girl and with sexual assaulting her on a school playground. Steven Griffin, 18, was indicted this week on charges of unlawful sexual contact, assault, visual sexual aggression against a child ...
Candy aberration or the Virgin Mary? Turner couple lets eBay bidders decide
TURNER, Maine — It was meant mostly as a gag. Desmond Duguay found a piece of candy that looked kind of like the Virgin Mary and he thought: Why not sell it on eBay? A day and a half later, bids for the sugary morsel were up to $200 and ...
Sabattus man accused of sexually assaulting girl
SABATTUS, Maine — A High Street man was in the county jail Thursday accused of sexually abusing a girl over a period of four years beginning when she was 9 years old. A church youth worker helped lead police to 33-year-old Michael Gagnier, of 20 High St., who was arrested ...
Auburn detective responds to rollover crash while vacationing in Florida
AUBURN, Maine — So much for vacation. Auburn police Detective Jason Moore was in Orlando, Fla., with his family Tuesday when he saw a Jeep flip in front of him. A 15-year veteran of the force, Moore sprang into action. He was driving through an intersection at Continental Gateway and ...
Lewiston firefighters battle apartment fire
LEWISTON, Maine — Firefighters made quick work of a fire on Pleasant Street late Thursday, but crews were expected to remain at the scene into Friday morning searching for a cause. When fire crews arrived at 48 Pleasant St. at about 10:20 p.m., fire was blowing from the windows of ...
Officials say squatters likely started fire in Auburn warehouse
AUBURN, Maine — A fire in an abandoned warehouse on Turner Street on Wednesday likely was caused by squatters who were trying to keep warm, fire investigators said. The 4:30 p.m. blaze on the second floor of the former Morin Fine Furniture and Refinishing shop forced the closure of several ...
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Woman’s body found in Lisbon; may be Christiana Fesmire
LISBON, Maine — Police on Tuesday discovered the remains of a body in the woods along a trail popular with ATV riders. Lisbon and Lewiston police set up yellow crime scene tape to cordon off the trail near the Left Hand Club across from Wagg Road. The body was found ...
Fryeburg officers cleared of wrongdoing in alleged party
FRYEBURG, Maine — The police chief and a pair of officers have been returned to duty after an investigation revealed no wrongdoing in connection with a party on Oxen Pull Road. Chief Philip Weymouth and reserve officers Dale Stout and Andrew Ward had been on administrative leave since Oct. 23 ...
Auburn standoff suspect faces additional charges
AUBURN — Two days after he was accused of engaging police in a standoff near the Auburn Mall, Randolph Nutter on Wednesday made his first appearance in court. After a brief appearance in Lewiston District Court, Nutter, 45, of Mechanic Falls, was returned to jail where he was being held ...
Fryeburg police officers accused of partying with teens
FRYEBURG, Maine — Three police officials have been suspended while town officials investigate reports that a pair of officers partied with confiscated beer at a bash attended by teenagers. Town Manager Sharon Jackson confirmed Thursday night that an outside agency was brought in to look into the allegations that came ...
Fire hits Lewiston apartment buildings
LEWISTON, Maine — Dozens of people fled their homes early Wednesday night after a fast-moving fire erupted at an apartment house on Pierce Street. One man was being treated for breathing problems while police and fire crews searched for other potential victims after the blaze swept through 80 Pierce St. ...
Man seriously injured when hit by truck in Auburn; driver flees
AUBURN, Maine — A man was seriously injured late Friday night after he was struck by a truck, possibly after falling from the train trestle over Turner Street. A witness said the driver of the truck fled the scene. The name of the victim was not immediately available. A witness ...
LePage tells legislative leaders he’s moving out of State House because of ‘censorship’
Nichole Cable’s friends, family attend accused killer’s emotionally charged court appearance
Lincoln’s Coffee Pot Cafe shuts its doors
Maine Sports Hall of Fame member, DJ Dana Wilson convicted of child pornography possession
Community members rally in memory of Nichole Cable; events, fundraisers planned
Guest Post: “I’m about ready to name my daughter Revolution.”
Rep. Diane Russell’s fool’s errand
Help Maine charter schools succeed before adding more
Goodwin steps down as Brewer High School boys basketball coach
Tommy Lawrence pitches UMaine baseball to victory in first America East tournament game
Garcia sorry after ‘stupid’ Woods fried chicken jibe
Live updates: UMaine baseball vs. Stony Brook at America East Championship
Martin, Gardner pitch Hampden baseball team past Brewer
Maine School of Science and Mathematics alumni drawn to give back to magnet school
Federal agencies eye return to restored historic Custom House in Portland
It’s hard to keep secrets from a friend who is clairvoyant
New York City rumble showcases Maine’s lobster roll dominance