Photo: Oxford County Sheriff’s Office
Maine’s Oxford County Sheriff’s Office announced a fairly unique arrest last week. After three days of searching, they found and arrested a 33-year-old man who’d driven his Subaru Impreza through the ski lift scan gates in front of a resort and onto the slopes in the early morning hours of March 9.
According to a release from the sheriff’s office, Jesse Bates of Mexico, Maine (yes, apparently there’s a town in Maine called Mexico) drove his 2022 Impreza onto a nearby resort in Newry, Maine. They’ve charged him with “Aggravated Criminal Mischief” and “Violation of Conditions of Release” and are claiming the stunt caused $45,000 in damages.
“Deputies observed significant damage to the ski slopes behind the South Ridge Lodge,” a release says. ‘There were large, deep ruts in the ski slopes made by a vehicle that had also crashed into the ski lift scan gates before fleeing the scene. The damage to the slopes and the scan gates was extensive and estimated to be in excess of $45,000.”
The release went on to explain that after identifying the car, the owner, and where he lived, there were “many unsuccessful attempts” to actually track Bates down. Three days passed before they finally found him at home and made their arrest.
