BIDDEFORD

Man in methamphetamine arrest also burglary suspect

A Biddeford man accused of manufacturing methamphetamine in that city has been arrested on a felony charge.

Joshua St. Jernquist, 28, was arrested Wednesday on a charge of trafficking/manufacturing methamphetamine after police identified him as a man who had fled from a reported burglary in progress the week before at 61 Bacon St. in Biddeford, the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency announced Friday.

Biddeford police had been called to that address Nov. 23 after the building’s manager had confronted the suspected burglar, later identified as St. Jernquist, who then fled, MDEA Cmdr. Scott Pelletier said in a statement.

Police say they recognized a chemical odor and materials used for making methamphetamine in an area of the building that was under renovation, and they partially evacuated the building.

The Biddeford Fire Department, a specially trained member of the MDEA Clandestine Laboratory Enforcement Team and members of the Maine Department of Environmental Protection Agency helped handle the hazardous material, Pelletier said.

Biddeford police and MDEA agents conducted a follow-up investigation, identified St. Jernquist, and arrested him at his residence. He is being held at the York County Jail in Alfred on $5,000 cash bail.

AUBURN

Two held on drug charges had faced drive-by shooting

A man and a woman who lived in an Auburn home that was struck by gunfire in a drive-by shooting several weeks ago have been arrested on drug charges.

Police say Angel Nguyen, 36, and Charles Richardson, 31, were arrested Wednesday night after Maine Drug Enforcement Agency officers found crack cocaine and evidence of drug trafficking while executing a search warrant in their first-floor Newbury Street apartment.

The Sun Journal reported that Richardson was being held on $20,000 cash bail and Nguyen on $10,000 bail at the Androscoggin County Jail.

The front of the same building was riddled by bullets during a drive-by shooting on Nov. 6.

No one was hurt.

Investigators did not say whether the gunfire was directly related to the alleged drug dealing.

AUGUSTA

State House Hall of Flags holds veterans tree of honor

A tree of honor paying tribute to service members and veterans will be on display at the State House Hall of Flags this holiday season.

Boy Scout Troop 111, Tri-County Mental Health services and Americorps Vista have joined to work on the tree.

A ceremony will be held in the Hall of Flags on Friday, Dec. 6, at 3:30 p.m. to raise the tree and decorate it with special ornaments. These ornaments are designed so that individuals can write the name of a service member or veteran on each.

Local Boy Scouts, veterans and lawmakers will take part in the ceremony. The event is open to the public.