March 29, 2024
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Arrests made for tardy bills 14 called to pay up in Hancock County

ELLSWORTH – Fourteen people were plucked from their jobs or homes Thursday and escorted by a Hancock County sheriff’s deputy to Ellsworth District Court in order to settle severely overdue bills.

The Hancock County residents were part of the sheriff’s office annual debt regulation, designed to not-so-subtly encourage those with civil orders of arrest to pay the piper.

Civil orders of arrest are issued after a business files a small claim against someone who owes a debt for goods or services.

“It’s kind of the last straw for people,” Hancock County dispatcher Dave Brady explained. “Chances are they’ve had several notices in the mail to pay or show up in court to discuss the matter. So it shouldn’t come as a surprise.”

Brady said the people owe money on different bills, such as heating oil, electricity and trash removal. The amounts vary as well, he said.

Those arrested Thursday were Mandy Briggs of Sullivan, Stephen Ciomei of Ellsworth, Katherine Conley of Seal Harbor, Clyde Danico of Ellsworth, Linda Demers of Franklin, Sandra Gray of Southwest Harbor, Jason Hinckley of Hancock, Jarod Michaud of Lamoine, Michael Nickerson of Ellsworth, Sandra Patrick of Ellsworth, Trisha Pinkham of Sullivan, Philip Ranger of Bar Harbor, Estelle Vincent of Bucksport and Randy Webber of Ellsworth.

No ages were given.

While the 14 technically were arrested, they were taken to District Court rather than jail to work out an arrangement with whomever they owe money to.

The sheriff’s office also indicated that Thursday’s sweep was likely just the beginning. Two or three more are expected in the next six weeks in order to reduce the backlog of those with civil orders of arrest.

In a civil order of arrest, the police are assisting the court system in solving civil complaints. The arrested person in a civil order of arrest is never jailed but is required by the court to arrange to repay money owed to a complainant.

Anyone who knows that they have pending civil orders of arrest are welcome to call the Hancock County Sheriff’s Department civil process division at 667-1404, ext. 226.

erussell@bangordailynews.net

664-0524


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