PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — A Presque Isle man was arrested Monday morning after members of the Maine State Police tactical unit broke down the door of his Skyway Street home where he was barricaded and threatening to harm himself and his girlfriend, according to Presque Isle Police Chief Matthew Irwin.
James Shaw, 25, was charged with aggravated assault and domestic violence assault, Irwin said early Monday afternoon, adding that further charges may be pending.
Shaw was already wanted by police on aggravated assault charges stemming from an incident last week when officers responded to a domestic violence call at the home, Irwin said. When officers arrived at the home, Shaw was not there, he said.
Irwin said he began getting information early Monday morning from members of the public that Shaw was posting on social media threats to kill his girlfriend and himself.
“We began to work to figure out where [the girlfriend] was,” Irwin said. “We were able to confirm her location and that [Shaw] was there with her.”
The two were located at Shaw’s Skyway Street home where Shaw had barricaded the door and was threatening to cut and kill the woman if he saw any police presence.
By 5:15 a.m., Irwin said he had secured an arrest warrant for Shaw stemming from last week’s incident and a search warrant for his home.
Presque Isle police called in the state police tactical unit, he said, and its members broke down the door of the house about 10:30 a.m., where they found Shaw and his girlfriend unharmed.
Shaw was arrested without further incident, and a large knife was recovered from the scene, Irwin said.
Witnesses reported seeing broken windows at the home after Shaw’s arrest, and Irwin confirmed that was the result of tactical team action, but he did not have any further information.
According to state criminal history records, Shaw was charged with felony domestic violence assault in October 2012. That charge was dismissed by the district attorney after Shaw pleaded guilty to criminal mischief. He served a 90-day jail sentence in 2013.
In 2011, Shaw served 30 days in jail for felony theft by unauthorized taking and was ordered to pay restitution.
On Monday, Shaw was taken to the Aroostook County Jail in Houlton
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence and would like to talk with an advocate, call 866-834-4357, TRS 800-787-3224. This free, confidential service is available 24/7 and is accessible from anywhere in Maine.
