FREEPORT

Freeport police say after conducting an investigation into the reported robbery of a School Street business last month, the store’s owner has been summonsed for filing a false police report.

A robbery at Intervale Mercantile was reported at the 4 School St. business Aug. 26.

Freeport Chief Susan Nourse said in a press release that an unknown male reportedly fled the store with the owner’s wallet along with several thousands of dollars in merchandise. Items included knives, watches and a wallet.

However, following an investigation by two patrol officers, a K9 handler and a detective, Freeport police issued a summons Sept. 1 to the store owner. Erik Desjarlais, 40, of New Gloucester was charged with unsworn falsification, a Class D misdemeanor. He is scheduled to appear Nov. 8 in West Bath District Court.

Freeport Police Lt. Nathaniel Goodman said the investigation points to the fact that there was no robbery and nothing was stolen from the store.

“Police do not know with any certainty why he would file a false police report,” he said.

When asked if Goodman was concerned that police resources were used to investigate a crime that apparently didn’t happen, Goodman said: “Absolutely. Multiple officer responded at high speed, risking their health and that of the public to get to the store for a reported robbery in progress.”

Overall, the case encompassed use of multiple officers, detectives and K9 handlers at the scene, he said. Hours were spent analyzing evidence and conducting interviews along with other aspects of the investigation.

“The public also hears about this and it instills fear in people, unnecessarily,” he said. “These are the primary reasons Desjarlais was charged criminally.”

dmoore@timesrecord.com

The Times Record Sustaining Sponsor
We believe a community must be informed to thrive. bowdoin.edu