BANGOR, Maine — A Holden man who last year was found hiding in the ceiling tiles of a Hannaford Supermarket while he was on bath salts is facing new charges.
John Atwood, 30, appeared Tuesday before Superior Court Justice Kevin Cuddy at the Penobscot Judicial Center on charges of theft, operating after revocation and violation of bail conditions.
Atwood was arrested Sunday by Holden police after he stole two cigarette rolling machines from the Circle K and drove away, according to Brendan Trainor, assistant district attorney for Penobscot County.
The theft and driving violations were elevated to felonies because of Atwood’s record, Trainor told the judge.
Cuddy ordered that Atwood be held without bail on the new charges at the Penobscot County Jail until a hearing can be held next month on a motion to revoke his bail. After that hearing is held, Atwood could post $500 cash bail on the new charges, the judge said.
When he was arrested Sunday, Atwood was on postconviction bail and awaiting sentencing in June on a charge of aggravated criminal mischief which stemmed from the November incident at the grocery store on Wilson Street in Brewer.
His sentencing was delayed to give him time to pay $3,300 in restitution, Trainor said Tuesday.
Atwood told the judge that he has paid the restitution. Trainor said he could not confirm that from court documents.
The Holden man used a shopping cart to break into the Hannaford supermarket in order to hide from imaginary people that he believed were after him, Brewer police said last year.
“The large front window was broken and ceiling tiles were pulled down,” Lt. Chris Martin said.
Cpl. Nelson Feero and other officers found Atwood hiding in the ceiling, Martin said.
Atwood faces up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $5,000 on the aggravated criminal mischief charge. If convicted on the theft and operating after revocation charges, he faces the same punishment and fine.
On the violation of bail charge, Atwood faces up to six months in jail and a fine of up to $1,000.
Six months in jail sounds good, but doesn’t this bother people to know that he will get 6 months while the mother who broker her child’s leg received only 9.0 days? Something is wrong with this picture
Or the Brownville mother gets 5 years . Punishment makes no sense.
I’ve been trying to find a rhyme to the reason of sentencing. No luck so far……
I don’t understand it either. It’s like with my friends nephew got killed by a crazy guy that was trying to beat up his girlfriend. The nephew was trying to distract him while police arrive. Well anyway the jerk only got about a year in jail for “accidental manslaughter” when eye witnesses testify that it looked pretty deliberate to them. It’s like certain people get “special” treatment by the American Judicial System. While others get sent up poop creak without a paddle for doing far less. This was a military troop member that has a very long criminal record. But I have noticed that it seems military affiliates tend to get lighter sentences, also the same for women. I mean come on. If it was the dad that broke that kids bones he’d not only be put in prison for a long time but they’d make TV shows out of it. But a mom does it and it’s a slap on the wrist. Its painfully obvious that the American Judicial System is unfair, unjust, and totally biased, bigoted, and often racist.
He has priors she didn’t.
Do you find that okay?
Yes. She received a 9 month sentence. She had no criminal history before the incident, it does matter to a judge when he/she hands down a sentence.
oh that makes it so much better. NOT!
Their once was a man from Wheeling, who like to hide in the ceiling……..
he had a feeling that whilst hiding above the banana peelings was a grueling flaw, he was better of doing it at Shaw’s.