CORNVILLE — The man arrested Monday after allegedly threatening people at the Cornville Regional Charter School has an extensive criminal history and was also on probation, according to police.
James L. Mayo, 42, of Cornville, was arrested on charges of terrorizing, criminal threatening, criminal mischief, refusing to submit to arrest or detention and violation of probation, said Deputy Chief Dale Lancaster of the Somerset County Sheriff’s Department.
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He said that police responded to a report of someone threatening to kill the people inside of the West Ridge Road school and pounding on the windows about 1:30 p.m. Monday.
There were no students at the school but there were a few teachers and a custodian preparing for the first day of classes Tuesday, said Executive Director Justin Belanger.
“He was outside the building apparently causing a ruckus, screaming and being belligerent,” Belanger said.
The school’s custodian went outside to talk to Mayo and one of the teachers locked the doors of the school and called the police, he said. Mayo also damaged a trailer full of school furniture by tearing off its lights and ripping apart the deck, he said.
Mayo acted combatively when told he was under arrest, said Lancaster. He said police tried to subdue him with pepper spray and a stun gun, but Mayo ran into the woods.
After police used a search dog to track him, Mayo threatened to kill an officer before police were able to arrest him, said Lancaster.
Belanger said he was thankful no one was hurt.
“The custodian and teachers did the right thing and locked down the school. The police did a good job of subduing him,” he said.
He said school is open as normal today and that the school has been assured by the sheriff’s department that the campus is safe.
Lancaster said Mayo has an extensive criminal history. In January he was convicted of criminal threatening with a dangerous weapon in Cornville and terrorizing in Skowhegan. He has also formerly been convicted of terrorizing in Skowhegan; criminal mischief and harassment by telephone in Madison; and assault, disorderly conduct and violating condition of release in Madison.
He said that police also responded to a report of disturbance at the Athens Corner Store by Mayo on Sunday and that they are investigating that incident.
Mayo is being held at the Somerset County Jail.
Rachel Ohm — 612-2368
rohm@mainetoday.com
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