Two men arrested for choking, robbing Bangor man

BANGOR, Maine — A local man who accepted an offer of a ride home from a downtown bar early Sunday was choked from behind until unconscious, robbed of his cash and cellphone and dumped on the side of the road, Bangor police Sgt. Paul Edwards said.

The 33-year-old Bangor man “woke up in the parking lot of Angelo’s Pizzeria on Hammond Street as the van took off” at around 1:15 a.m., the sergeant said. “The victim quickly flagged down a passing motorist and used her phone to call police.”

The silver van, driven by Scott Macomber, 44, of LaGrange with Adam Freeman, 25, of Bangor and three local women in the back seat, took off out Hammond Street and was located minutes later by Officer Richard Polk at the On The Run Mobil gas station located at the corner of Union Street and Griffin Road.

“Money was recovered,” Edwards said.

Macomber and Freeman were arrested, and both were charged with felony robbery, which carries a penalty of up to 10 years behind bars and a fine of up to $20,000, after all five occupants of the van were interviewed at the police station by Detectives James Carr and Erik Tall.

Macomber and Freeman both have extensive criminal records, according to court listings printed in the Bangor Daily News.

The male victim told police he planned to call a cab but accepted the offer for a ride from Macomber, who is an acquaintance he knew only by first name.

“The guy said [something like], ‘I’ll save you the money. I’ll give you ride,’” Edwards said.

The victim got into the van and en route to his house allegedly was grabbed from behind by Freeman.

“The victim stated that the younger male choked him out from behind, that he went unconscious,” the sergeant said.

The victim said he had a sore neck and was assessed by paramedics at the scene but was not taken to a hospital.

Both Macomber and Freeman were arrested and taken to Penobscot County Jail and remained there on Sunday, Edwards said.

Macomber was convicted of criminal threatening with a dangerous weapon in December 2007 and was sentenced to two years and six months behind bars, with all but six months suspended, and probation for two years. He also was convicted of assault at the same time and was ordered to serve a concurrent six month jail sentence and pay a $300 fine, the BDN listings state.

Freeman has numerous convictions in the last six years, and most recently was sentenced in April 2011 to 14 months in prison for theft by unauthorized taking or transfer with a concurrent six-month sentence for burglary of a motor vehicle.

He was convicted of burglary in June 2010 and sentenced to three years in prison with all but nine months suspended, and in September 2007 was convicted of two counts burglary of motor vehicle and theft by receiving stolen property, the BDN listings state. Freeman was ordered to spend 18 months in prison for each of the three counts from 2007, as well as six months for violating conditions of his release.

Freeman also has convictions for disorderly conduct, criminal mischief, violating condition of release, failing to provide name, address, date of birth, theft, failing to appear in court and operating vehicle with a suspended driver’s license, the BDN listings state.