NEWBURGH, Maine — The tip couldn’t have come at a better time — or location — for Maine State Trooper Forrest Simpson because it led to the quick arrest of a motorist driving with a suspended license.
“A man asked me if a local man’s license was suspended and I told him I couldn’t give him that information, so he told me he thought this man was driving after suspension,” said Simpson.
As the concerned citizen was talking to Simpson on Tuesday, the man in question — Alan Dunton, 55, of Newburgh — happened to drive by Simpson on the North Road.
“We were standing there talking in the parking lot and he drove right by me around 3:15. I pulled him over 15 minutes later,” said Simpson, adding that Dunton drove a “very distinctive” Toyota Tundra pickup truck with a snowplow mounted on it.
“He gave me a license that expired in 2008,” Simpson added. “Once I verified his ID, I told him his license was suspended and he argued with me on that point. I then handcuffed him and took him into custody.”
As of 5:30 p.m., Dunton was incarcerated at the Penobscot County Jail and awaiting a bail hearing.
While processing Dunton, Simpson learned some other aspects about the case.
“He does have a history of OUI, and there’s a possibility there are two different licenses issued to the same person,” the trooper said. “We’re looking into that currently with the DMV [Maine Department of Motor Vehicles], and if that’s the case, there will be more charges forthcoming.”
Simpson said Dunton’s other identification also lists him as Alan, but with a different spelling, and they are both officially listed as living at the same address.
Simpson said Dunton has been charged with operating after suspension.
“At least for now, that’s what we’ve charged this Alan Dunton with,” Simpson said.
Oh yea this is urgent news breaking stuff here OMG…….
Actually, considering the amount of people we have in this state driving with suspended licenses this is relevant. Heck, if it encourages others to report people driving under suspension all the better.
It might balance the budget.
Tax cut can’t.
Couldn’t say it any better.
Who Cares!!!
Would should thank our lucky stars that this is the type of crime still worth reporting in the newspaper. knowwhadimean? ;)
Isn’t this guy the hubby of Cindy Dunton, the lady who ripped off Newburgh???
Wonder if this tip wasn’t turned in by someone still ticked off…..
I beleive it is ! Seems like that family may want to move out of Newburg !
I was just saying the other day. Six years ago Maine public safety officials,politicians, and police agencies came out with pronouncements how they were going to crackdown on suspended license drivers in this state,roadblock checkpoints, checking up on repeat offenders. It lasted about a year and a half, then the movement petered out.
Oh, it didn’t balance the budget ?
That is because roadblocks are unconstitutional.
Maybe the courts were over run with too many offenders!
1 out of 10 motorists you pass each day is operating with a suspended license or without a license.
in somerset county its 1 out of 10 motorists who have a valid license.
I don’t think you should drive with a suspended license but what happened to probable cause to stop a motorist? ” To legally pull someone over, an officer needs to have witnessed a traffic violation or another crime committed by someone in the car.” “Once I verified his ID, I told him his license was suspended and he argued with me on that point. I then handcuffed him and took him into custody.” The Trooper had to run his ID to see if he was suspended. There is no mention of any traffic violation that would justify a traffic stop. Just a Tip he possibly could be suspended.
Maybe he can get bail money from what his wife stole.
I’m sure that is how he bought the truck he was driving.
Why can’t the police provide information to a citizen about someone’s suspended license. This is public information?
This man has had many OUI’s he shouldn’t be on the road anymore. Good Work! Probably saved some lives.
“Toyota Tundra pickup truck with a snowplow mounted on it”… It may have been purchased with town money…
All their new vehicles were purchased with Newburgh town $$. Yard full of toys, grader, atv’s, you name it.
Dunton, Dunton, Dunton??? Wy does that sound so familiar and why would this story be a headline. Mmmmm, I know parking tickets are being reported as newsworthy these days but mmmmmmm, something sounds familiar.
Good thing he drove right by. In the metropolis of Newburgh it probably would have been hard to track him down.
I’m surprised the State Police didn’t have to call down to New Hampshire for help with this big case.
In a related story…. Police Raid House to Check for Mattress Tag Removal Based on Anonymous Tip
If he had just used the alias of an undocumented worker he would have been alright.