Windows on a Trafton Street house, at right, are broken in the aftermath of a police raid Wednesday evening. Photo: Lee Burnett
By Lee Burnett
Sanford police are investigating three incidents this week in which gunfire broke out. An officer pursuing a vehicle on Lebanon Street in the wee hours Tuesday was on the receiving end of multiple gunshots before breaking off the chase. Police are still looking for at least two suspects in that shooting.
In the most recent incident, police tactical teams raided a house at 13 Trafton St. Wednesday evening, looking for evidence in connection with a shooting that happened at the house Monday night, according to Major Mark Dyer. He said the shooting is not connected to the Tuesday incident or to the shooting on Lebanon Street on Saturday, which resulted in two arrests. (See related story.)
Trafton Street was clogged with armored vehicles and dozens of officers between about 5 and 6:30 pm Wednesday, according to neighbors. All traffic was barred from the road between Roberts Street and Emerson Street. It was the second mobilization of tactical teams in two days.
The street was quiet Thursday morning. Neighbor Sovann Neang was walking on the street when he stopped in front of the house to talk to the Sanford Springvale News.
“I heard loud bangs,” he said, pointing to missing windows in the house. “They must have been breaking in. See the windows are all broken.”
Neighbor Sarah Brophy, another neighbor, recalled the prior evening. “I mean, it was scary. We didn’t know what was going on. There was no warning.” She said neighbors have been suspicious of activities at the house. “There are always cops at that house. People say there are drugs. I don’t know how true that is, but people are going in and out at all times of the day.”
The house at 13 Trafton St. is owned by Travis W. Greenwood, according to Sanford property tax records.
Major Dyer would not confirm the nature of activity on Trafton Street beyond “we’ve been there in the past.” He said “a good amount” of evidence was recovered. Because of the threat of violence, three armored vehicles were deployed: two from the Southern Maine Special Response Team and one from the Cumberland County Emergency Services Unit. The loud noises that may have sounded like gunshots or explosions associated with the raid were distractionary devices used by the tactical teams, Dyer said.
Police are still searching for people wanted in connection with the Tuesday shooting that was precipitated by an attempted traffic stop shortly after 1 a.m. on Shaw Street, near downtown. The car sped off toward Lebanon Street and the Lebanon town line. During the pursuit, the fleeing vehicle shot at the pursuing cruiser seven times, according to Maine Police Fire EMS Sheriff Scanner Radio. Major Dyer would not confirm the number of shots fired beyond “several.”
For many hours Tuesday, rural Springvale was the site of a manhunt that drew police in tactical gear, TV crews, and a helicopter. Police dogs tried to pick up a scent but when that was unsuccessful, the mobilization was scaled back to pursue other leads, according to Major Dyer. Police have impounded a car that was abandoned near the entrance to McKeon Environmental Reserve on Blanchard Road.
Police had urged residents to be vigilant and be aware of their surroundings but did not ask them to stay indoors. An active manhunt was launched northwest of town, including Lebanon Street, Hanson Ridge Road, Oak Street, Blanchard Road, Sunset Road, and Smith Road in Lebanon.
“We understand that this level of police activity can be unsettling. We appreciate everyone’s patience and cooperation as our officers work to locate those responsible and keep the community safe,” read a statement posted on the Police Department’s Facebook page on Wednesday. “Please avoid the affected areas whenever possible and allow officers room to do their work.”
Suspects in Lebanon Shooting Arrested
By Lee Burnett
A 14-year-old girl from Sanford and 19-year-old Zachary Shaw of Lebanon face charges in connection with the shooting of a motorist in Lebanon early Saturday, Aug. 22.
Both were arrested and charged with reckless conduct with a dangerous weapon, according to the York County Sheriff’s Department. Shaw was also charged with criminal mischief. The victim was unhurt, but his car sustained a bullet hole in the driver’s side door and a punctured tire.
The victim told police he was driving on Route 202 in Lebanon when a black sedan pulled alongside and fired several rounds at his car, disabling the car with a flat tire. The victim gave a description of the car to the sheriff’s department. Alerted by a bulletin sent at 4:40 am Saturday, Sanford police found the suspect at a business in Sanford and subsequently arrested him. The girl was arrested Sunday.
Cause of Man’s Death in Sanford Sought
Multiple police agencies are investigating the death of a man whose body was found next to a firepit in the backyard of a house on Twombley Road early on the morning of Aug. 20, according to Maine State Police.
Sanford police were called to the scene shortly after 5 am and quickly notified the Maine Fire Marshal’s Office, which subsequently notified the Maine State Police Major Crimes Unit South.
Detectives and investigators from the State Police, Fire Marshal’s Office, and Sanford Police Department remained on scene throughout the day. The remains were transported to the medical examiner’s officer for an autopsy. The identification, as well as the cause and manner of death, are pending.
Police said there is no danger to the public.
Confrontation Leads to Arrest of PD Critic
The front of Zaharias Iliadis’ house on Main Street makes his opinion of local police clear. Photo: Lee Burnett
By Lee Burnett
A man who turned his house into a billboard against the Sanford Police Department has been arrested on charges that he attempted to drive his car into someone Monday evening.
Zaharias Iliadis, 47, of Sanford was being held without bail at York County Jail on charges of reckless conduct and violation of conditions of release, according to police. The charges stem from a verbal confrontation Monday evening near Central Park. Sanford officers interviewed the involved parties and witnesses and collected evidence related to the incident. Based on the information and evidence gathered, officers developed probable cause to take Iliadis into custody. No further details were available.
Iliadis has carried on a one-way feud with the Sanford Police Department for months, erecting multiple signs on the front porch of 824 Main St. One reads “SANFORD POLICE SUCK.” Another is a blown-up screenshot of the police chief with the words “ERIC SMALL IS BAD!” and “ABUSE OF POWER.”
His crusade has provoked endless commentary on social media and elsewhere, with some calling authorities to do something about unsightly signage. The Police Department has responded indirectly with a post on its Facebook page defending freedom of expression.
Iliadis has called police or reported an issue in person 139 times this year, according to Deputy Chief Matthew Gagne, who conducted a review of departmental records at the request of the Sanford Springvale News.
The post Police Probe Separate Shootings in Town appeared first on Sanford Springvale News.
