Posted on 10/20/2022 3:52:29 PM PDT by Steven Scharf
Portland Maine Police Department
Continued Jail Closure Jeopardizes Public Safety
PORTLAND, Maine – Steven Gruerman (DOB 7-10-1978) of Appleton, Maine was arrested and charged with Operating Under the Influence (Felony), and Operating without a License and Terrorizing following a traffic stop on Riverside Street. He was issued citations and released from the Portland Police Station. Under normal circumstances he would have been arrested and taken to the Cumberland County Jail, but due to the continued jail closure the jail would not accept him.
Shortly after his release he was arrested a second time and charged with Assault on a Police Officer, Criminal Threatening, Disorderly Conduct and Criminal Mischief and brought to the Cumberland County Jail.
“Acceptance policies at the Cumberland County Jail led to multiple interactions with the same suspect and put officers and civilians safety at risk,” said Chief Gorham. “My officers were forced to remove the handcuffs from a suspect that was actively threatening them and release him from custody because the crimes he committed did not meet the jail’s acceptance policies. A short time after his release he terrorized staff at a nearby hotel and assaulted several officers.”
Steven Gruerman was stopped on Riverside Street by a Portland Police Officer on Wednesday, October 19,2022 just after 9:30PM for operating his vehicle without a registration plate. The officer determined that he was operating under the influence and didn’t have a valid license and arrested Gruerman and towed his vehicle.
Gruerman was brought to the police station and submitted to a breath sample and was in the process of being issued citations for the driving offenses when he realized that his vehicle had been towed and he wasn’t going to be able to drive home. Grueman then began threatening the arresting officer and threatened to “blow up” the police station and destroy police cars.
Because of the jail closure, the only option available to the officer was to remove the handcuffs and release Gruerman with an additional citation for terrorizing. Gruerman continued to threaten the officer and threatened to destroy equipment in the police department before finally leaving the station.
On Thursday, October 20, 2022 just after 12:30 AM the Portland Regional Communications Center began to receive 911 calls from Gruerman where he continued making threats to come to the police station, assault officers and damage police vehicles. Officers were assigned to the area of the station and found Gruerman on Fore Street near Franklin Street. The officer decided not to engage with Gruerman hoping he was leaving the area.
Within a few minutes a 911 call was received from the Hampton Inn at 209 Fore Street reporting that a man was inside the hotel threatening staff and out of fear for their safety they had locked themselves in an office.
When officers arrived, they found Gruerman inside of the hotel and he immediately began threatening them, threw a cup of hot coffee and punched a hole in a wall. Because of the escalating and ongoing behavior, the jail was contacted and they still refused to take custody of him. While officers tried to deescalate the situation, Gruerman told them they would have to shoot him and he assaulted an officer. During his arrest he continued to punch and kick officers as they were trying to take him into custody.
Chief Gorham added, “This is beyond frustrating. Something has to be done soon as this policy is putting our officers and our community at risk. We were fortunate there were no serious injuries.”
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To provide information anonymously:
Call 207-874-8584 and leave a message on the department’s Crime Tip line Text keyword “PPDME” plus the message to 847411 (TIP411)
This story apparently has not been picked up by the local media. The Facebook post is only 20 minutes old.
The only ting I could find online is a link to a business he started 4 months ago in Appleton Maine which is about an hour up the cost from Portland.
And why is their jail “closed”? Never heard of that before. Not as if Portland has been depopulated.
Do they have enough $ for drag queen story hour? Housing illegals? State operated drug dens?
Bump
That part of Maine is the uber liberal area of the state. Illegal aliens, sanctuary city, “refugees,” “migrants,” plenty of third world types.
People elsewhere in Maine call that area North Massachusetts.
They elected a liberal (female?) as their District Attorney in June thanks to George Soros.
Wow I’m amazed. Didn’t think those losers could tolerate the rough winters.
Stocks would work, wouldn’t they?
I believe that Portland also has a Soros DA.
We were visiting a friend who lives about 10 mile west of Portland. She says she won’t go into Portland at night now because of the crime. I grew up across the river from Portland (’50s until mid ‘70s)and enjoyed the city day and night. Drove up Congress St. (the primary street through town) recently and it was sort of creepy.
Coming soon: “The Farm”. (H/T: Frank Miller “Sin City” )
(Assuming they don’t already exist in most counties.)
My guess is that the jail is run by the sheriff and s/he is probably an uber lib karen who is making decisions above his or her paygrade. These people are not being processed through the system where the Assistant DA makes a bail recommendation. They are just being ejected back on the streets.
I believe that Portland also has a Soros DA.
Not correct. Our current DA lost a primary to a Soros supported candidate. As the Republicans were not able to field a candidate, she will formally be elected in Novermber.
I actually think it Isa capacity issue vis a vie lack of jail staff. It has not been reported in the Maine press.
Oops. Operating under the influence...
I picked up my girlfriend from a bar after she was assaulted outside a bar in the old port in Portland Maine.last month. There was a shooting in about the same location an hour later. Totally nuts there at night . I like to stay by the Maine mall in south Portland when I visit and go to the Kobe steak house next door after shopping. It was the nicest small city in America forever. They need lepage back desperately and also get rid of the commie mayor they have in portland.
Not correct. Our current DA lost a primary to a Soros supported candidate. As the Republicans were not able to field a candidate, she will formally be elected in Novermber.
So, Portland WILL have a Soros DA. Ugh.
WHy would not locking up criminals jeopardize public safety? I thought the Statist leaders were in favor of no jails and defund the police?.
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