PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — Four individuals were charged with a variety of offenses on Sunday evening after one person took action that seemed to expose all of them to the long arm of the law.
Presque Isle Police Chief Matt Irwin said Monday that the series of events began just after 10:30 p.m. on Sunday when Officer Ryan Eagles spotted Robbie McPherson, 37, driving a vehicle. Knowing that McPherson’s license had been suspended, Eagles pulled the vehicle over. During the traffic stop, the officer saw some drug paraphernalia and drugs — believed to be bath salts — in plain view, according to Irwin. McPherson was charged with unlawful trafficking in Schedule W drugs, unlawful possession of Schedule W drugs and operating after suspension.
The chief said that McPherson’s friend, Don Hanson, 33, then allegedly heard the news and apparently feared that the police were headed to McPherson’s home with a search warrant, which Irwin said was not true. Hanson apparently convinced Lisa McDonald, 23, to give him a ride to the home and to help him clean it out.
Irwin said that when McDonald did so and then got out of her car, Hanson allegedly stole it. McDonald called police to report her car stolen. While investigating, however, police realized there was a warrant out for McDonald’s arrest on outstanding drug charges, so she was taken into custody.
Meanwhile, Eagles soon found Hanson refueling the allegedly stolen vehicle at a nearby gas station, with another woman, Chelsea Webb, 26, in the passenger seat. Drugs also were found in the car, so Hanson was charged with unauthorized use of property, violation of conditions of release and unlawful possession of Schedule W drugs, according to Irwin.
The chief said that Webb did not get to walk away from the scene, either. She had a warrant out for her arrest because her probation had been revoked, so police took her into custody as well.
Officer Kevin Reed and his canine, Dozer, assisted with the investigation.