BANGOR, Maine — A resident of First Street reported that someone apparently was sleeping underneath a porch on Friday, but police found no one during the first check, Bangor police Sgt. Paul Edwards said Tuesday.
A second call was made just after noon and Officers Mike Brennan and Paul Colley spotted Russell Johnsen, 45, a Bangor-area transient, under a nearby porch.
“He said he was looking for cans and bottles,” Edwards said.
Johnsen, who was arrested for theft on Feb. 8 by Brewer police after he allegedly tried to leave the Hannaford supermarket in Brewer with three bottles of liquor concealed in his backpack, was out on bail and was searched.
Police found more than one small plastic bag of synthetic bath salts drugs on him, Edwards said.
A test of the powder was positive for MDPV, or methylenedioxypyrovalerone, a key component in the lab-made drug, the sergeant said.
Johnsen was charged with unlawful possession of synthetic hallucinogenic drugs, violating his bail conditions and the sale and use of drug paraphernalia.
He was convicted of unlawful possession of a scheduled drug in December and sentenced to pay a $400 fine, according to prior court listings in the Bangor Daily News.
Johnsen was taken to Penobscot County Jail after his arrest Friday and later released, Edwards said. (Nok-Noi Ricker, BDN)
Further evidence that First Street needs to be bulldozed.
How does a transient crawling under porches provide evidence for residences being bulldozed? Do you think that transients will move on if those homes are not there? Boy. I’ll bet the resident that called would think twice about reporting crime if she lost her home because of it.
A little over dramatic to a flip comment.
Its every time, though. Its like this person has a vendetta against the west side!
How about you and me meet out in the parking lot sometime and figure out exactly what part of yor face needs to be bulldozed…!
hide ‘n seek – fail.
A interview with this man about his past and how he came to a point where he’s crawling underneath a porch with bath salts would be an eye opener for all of us. This story will generate all kinds of snide remarks. Go ahead- laugh- but these cases are growing. Sleep with one eye open regardless of how far from First street you live.
45 years old? Never would have guessed it ! The man needs some serious in-patient treatment.
Yes, does anybody remember the story of Howard Hughes ? You never know who the guy was that you just picked up while he was hitch hiking !
Bangor is getting to be a scarey place. Sad.
????Getting to be????
Does not the word Transient imply that he dont have a residence and moves about frequently, thats because the cops keep making him move out from under everybodys porch ! Chip in and get him a cardboard box officers ! Just cut out 2 doughnuts a week and you will be the solution to his problem !
hey rickytan50….I made a cop doughnut joke on another story today.what do you think bdn did…yup….removed it..i am going to give you a like in case they do yours
Thanks, i dont think it is unreasonable to think cops eat doughnuts ! I see them into Hortons all the time ! I have a state cop that is a good friend and i know he likes his doughnuts !
How come all these transients are showing up in Bangor, ME why because we take care of them with our tax dollars and frankly Im sick of it, they get everything going while we work our butts off and there able to roam the streets and buy drugs and stay at the shelter. I think the shelter is just a haven for drug dealers.
The man is crawling around on the ground in the middle of winter scrounging for 5-10 cents and the judge gives him a 400$ fine? “How do you plan to pay this fine Mr Johnsen?” Well your honor I probably wont so I guess I will see you again in a few weeks