Armed vigilantes in Maine chop down tree, block driveway to force neighbor to self-quarantine amid coronavirus pandemic

A group of armed vigilantes cut down a tree and dragged it across a man’s driveway in Maine to force him to quarantine in his home amid fears he could be infected with the coronavirus, officials said.

A man residing on Cripple Creek Road in Vinalhaven, an island off the coast of Maine, called authorities around 3:35 p.m. Friday to report a group of people with guns had cut down a large tree and dragged it in front of his driveway, blocking access to the main road.

The man said he left his house to check his property when he noticed the cable went out. The unidentified man said he retreated to his home and hailed the Coast Guard for help using a VHF radio after a neighbor began yelling at him to get indoors and remain quarantined.

The armed group had dispersed before authorities arrived. Deputies with the Knox County Sheriff’s Office, along with the Maine Marine Patrol and a Coast Guard boarding party, responded to the scene. The incident remains under investigation.

“Deputies have learned that there is a general belief by some island residents that... (Read more)

Knox County Sheriff's Office - Maine: Press Release

Updated Information

On March 27, 2020, at approximately 3:35 PM, a resident of Cripple Creek Road, Vinalhaven, was heading from his residence toward Round The Island Road. He was going to check on why the cable service was not working. When he got to the end of his road he found a tree blocking the end of it.

While investigating the downed tree, a neighbor started yelling at him and a group of people showed up and began to gather around. Believing the group may be there to harm him, fled to his residence and told his roommates what he had found. The trio decided to stay put in the residence, utilized a VHF radio to hail the Coast Guard for assistance, they had no other means of communication, and utilized their drone to keep an eye on the group until law enforcement could arrive to help them.

Several law enforcement entities arrived in the area and found the felled tree but no group of people. It was apparent that the tree had been cut down and dragged into the roadway to block it.

Deputies have learned that there is a general belief by some island residents that the Cripple Creek Residents are supposed to be quarantined because they came here from another state and could have Covid-19. Deputies did investigate this and learned that the trio had been residing on Vinalhaven for about 30 days, which is outside of the guidance issued by state officials, and none have any symptoms consistent with Covid-19.

Deputies continue to investigate the circumstances around this incident. We are concerned that some believe that anyone from out of the state is potentially infected and needs to be quarantined.

We want to bring to the public's attention the matter of restricting a person's movements within the state. Whether someone is a Maine resident or not, they have the right to free movement and anyone who infringes upon that free movement is potentially violating the law.

If you are concerned about someone potentially being infected or not following the emergency rules or recommendations, please contact us. We want everyone to be informed about Covid-19 and the rules around it. We also want everyone to be safe and not overreact in this time of uncertainty as it could end poorly.

Original Post

On March 27, 2020, at approximately 3:35 PM, an individual utilized a VHF radio system to hail the Coast Guard for assistance at a residence in the area of Cripple Creek Road on Vinalhaven. The individual reported that several people with guns had cut down a tree and were telling them that they need to stay quarantined. Someone with a scanner heard the report made to the Coast Guard and called the Knox Regional Communications Center reporting the radio transmission that was heard.

Deputies, along with members of the Maine Marine Patrol and a Coast Guard boarding party, made contact with the complainant and discovered that a tree had in fact been cut down and dragged into the driveway to block the way. The group had dispersed prior to law enforcement's arrival.

The incident is under investigation and anyone with information is encouraged to contact Lieutenant Reggie Walker at (207) 594-0429, ext. 720.

These events do appear to be directed toward specific individuals and we do not feel there is a specific threat to the general public.

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