Man hospitalized after turnpike chase

A Biddeford man led state troopers on a 36-mile chase Monday afternoon on the Maine Turnpike.

The chase ended in Biddeford when police used spike mats to deflate the tires on Peter Hamilton’s car. His Toyota was pushed off the road by a state police cruiser.

Police said the pursuit began when a trooper attempted to stop Hamilton for speeding near the New Gloucester tollbooth.

Hamilton, 60, was taken to Southern Maine Medical Center for a medical evaluation. He also was treated for a dog bite from a state police dog. Police said Hamilton resisted arrest and will face a number of charges when he is released from the hospital.

Police say landlord put gas under home

A Hollis landlord was arrested for allegedly pouring gasoline under a mobile home in an ongoing dispute with a tenant.

Gary Keene, 42, was charged June 1 with reckless conduct, a felony, after York County Sheriff’s Office deputies were called to the mobile home he owns at 574 Plains Road.

Robert Mushero, who lives in the home, told police Keene woke him up and informed him there was a hazardous situation. When Mushero went outside to investigate, he noticed a strong odor of gasoline under the home and called police and the fire department, according to police.

Deputy Chief Jason Johnson of the Hollis Fire Department used a gas meter to determine a hazardous vapor was present under the home. Police and the fire department secured the area and opened space under the home to allow vapors to dissipate.

A short time later, Keene returned to the scene and made a statement that incriminated himself, according to police. Police said Mushero and Keene have been involved in an ongoing civil dispute.

Biddeford woman dies in car crash

A Biddeford woman was killed June 1 when the car she was driving struck a tree on South Waterboro Road in Lyman.

Juliza McCurry, 22, and Sheri Watson, 22, of Sanford, were killed in the accident at 12:24 a.m. Police said it appears both women were killed instantly and suspect speed and alcohol were factors in the crash. Both women were wearing seatbelts.

A York County Sheriff’s Office investigation indicated the 1999 Chevy Lumina was traveling west on South Waterboro Road when McCurry lost control on a corner near the intersection of Hamilton Road. The car skidded out of control, struck a rock, flipped over and hit a large tree, according to police.

Members of the Goodwins Mills Fire Rescue and Waterboro Fire Rescue worked for more than two hours to remove the victims from the car.

Officials from the York County Sheriff’s Office are reconstructing the scene as part of an ongoing investigation.

Alfred man pleads guilty to making pipe bombs

An Alfred man last week pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in Portland to charges that arose from bombs, drugs and firearms found in his home.

Robert Infante, 47, entered guilty pleas June 2 in federal court stemming from a June 25, 2010, incident at his home. He pleaded guilty to possession of unregistered destructive devices, possession of firearms and ammunition by a convicted felon, manufacturing marijuana and possession of a destructive device during and in relation to a drug trafficking offense.

Police and fire personnel responded to Infante’s home after he requested emergency services for injuries from an explosion, according to court records. When first responders arrived, they found numerous marijuana plants growing in Infante’s house. They also found various pipe bombs, firearms and ammunition, according to court records.

After Infante called for help, he drove himself to Southern Maine Medical Center in Biddeford. The hospital parking lot was evacuated as investigators searched Infante’s car. Five pipe bombs were found in the car, according to court records.

Evidence showed Infante possessed the bombs and other weapons to protect his marijuana growing operation, according to U.S. Attorney Thomas E. Delahanty II.

Infante faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 30 years and as much as life in prison on the charge of possessing bombs in relation to manufacturing marijuana. He faces a mandatory consecutive term of 15 years for possession of firearms and ammunition as a convicted felon. He also faces a sentence of up to 40 years on the marijuana manufacturing charge and up to 10 years on the unregistered explosive device charge.

A sentencing date has not been scheduled.

HeartWorks will present master plan at meeting

The HeartWorks Master Plan Advisory Council will present the final draft of Biddeford’s Downtown Master Plan next week.

The presentation is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. June 16 at the J. Richard Martin Community Center, 189 Alfred St.

The master plan, a joint project of the city of Biddeford, Heart of Biddeford and Orton Family Foundation, is the culmination of three years of work in the community. It follows a series of meetings and events designed to gather feedback from residents.

The advisory council will present the plan and answer audience questions. The plan will then be presented to the Biddeford City Council. The master plan was developed using a $100,000 grant from the Orton Family Foundation.

The presentation is open to the public. Light refreshments, cake and beverages will be served. For more information, call 284-8520 or go to www.heartofbiddeford.org.

Police continue to probe Pepperell Square robbery

Saco police are investigating a strong-armed robbery reported by a woman who said a man grabbed her purse in Pepperell Square.

Police said the victim, a 23-year-old Arundel woman, was accosted by a man as she got out of her car near Common and Front streets shortly before 12:30 p.m. Sunday. The man grabbed the woman’s purse and ran toward the railroad tracks with the woman in pursuit, according to police.

The woman caught up to the man, who turned and threatened to assault her if she continued to chase him, police said. The woman returned to her car to call police.

The man, believed to be in his late 20s, was last seen running on the railroad tracks toward Main Street. He is described as 5 feet, 8 inches tall with a rugged build, black hair and brown eyes. He was last seen wearing a baseball hat with a blue bill and red cap, dark blue hooded sweatshirt with a red design on the front, blue jeans and black sneakers.

Anyone who witnessed the robbery or suspect should call Detective Paul Reynolds or the shift supervisor at 284-4535.

House passes citizen racino initiative

The House of Representatives on Monday passed a citizen initiative that would allow racinos in Biddeford and Washington County.

Rep. Linda Valentino (D-Saco) said the “overwhelming” vote followed two and one-half hours of debate on the measure. She serves on the Legislature’s Veterans and Legal Affairs Committee, which voted against the bill in favor of sending it to voters.

The bill now goes to the Senate for consideration.

“I think this is a huge disservice to the people of Maine,” Valentino said. “I’m outraged we would do a major expansion of something like this without asking voters.”

Scarborough Downs and Ocean Properties have proposed moving the harness racing track from Scarborough to Biddeford and building a hotel and racino facility. The citizen initiative that would allow the project also calls for a tribal racino in Washington County.

– Compiled by Staff Writer Gillian Graham