AUGUSTA — A Maine State Police tactical team arrested Peter Bathgate, 30, of Augusta, on a murder charge about 11:30 a.m. today after a 10-hour standoff on Washington Street.

Bathgate was taken to Kennebec County jail charged with murder of Paul A. Allen, 47, of Augusta, whose body was found Sunday along a Hallowell roadside.

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APPREHENSION: State Police confer outside an Augusta apartment building Tuesday morning where Peter Bathgate, 30, was arrested for murder following a 10-hour standoff with police. Bathgate is a suspect in the murder of Paul Allen, 47, whose body was found Sunday in Hallowell.
APPREHENSION: State Police confer outside an Augusta apartment building Tuesday morning where Peter Bathgate, 30, was arrested for murder following a 10-hour standoff with police. Bathgate is a suspect in the murder of Paul Allen, 47, whose body was found Sunday in Hallowell.
Members of the Maine State Police tactical squad confer outside 37 Washington St. this morning in the city's Sand Hill neighborhood. Sources said the activity is part of the investigation into the slaying of Paul A. Allen, 47, of Augusta.
Members of the Maine State Police tactical squad confer outside 37 Washington St. this morning in the city's Sand Hill neighborhood. Sources said the activity is part of the investigation into the slaying of Paul A. Allen, 47, of Augusta. Staff photo by Bob Mentzinger

Maine State Police Spokesman Steve McCausland said Bathgate surrendered after police used tear gas.

There were no injuries reported and no information about whether he had a weapon.

An autopsy performed Monday by the State Medical Examiner’s Office determined Allen died as a result of homicide. The cause of death was withheld at the request of the Office of the Maine Attorney General.

Investigators from state and Hallowell police and the Maine Warden Service combed the scene of Allen’s body from Sunday’s discovery until the early morning hours Monday. Investigators reconvened later Monday at the Augusta Police Department to review the case and get new assignments, according to McCausland. The attorney general’s office took part in those briefings.

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Game wardens had been searching for Allen since Saturday afternoon, when his pickup truck was found parked on nearby Town Farm Road, McCausland said Sunday. Wardens using dogs found the body about a mile from where Allen’s truck was found.

The body was discovered in a remote area approximately 30 feet off the side of Winthrop Street.

Allen was last seen Thursday night at a toy auction at the Crystal Falls meeting facility in Chelsea.

Police early today set up a roadblock around 37 Washington St. and restricted access to anyone but residents.

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