ELLSWORTH — The Hancock County Sheriff’s Office arrested a man, armed with two large knives, who held officers at bay until he lost consciousness from alcohol and drugs, on Downeast Highway in Ellsworth March 8, police said.
Lt. Tim Cote arrested Mark Freeman, 54, of Hancock on charges of domestic violence aggravated assault, a Class A felony, and Class C domestic violence criminal threatening.
Police were alerted by Northern Light Maine Coast Hospital, which notified them at 11:21 p.m. March 8 that a woman had arrived at the emergency room to have domestic violence assault injuries treated. Deputy Kamren Jennings interviewed the woman.
Cote located a vehicle in which Freeman was a passenger at 11:48 p.m. on Downeast Highway.
“During the traffic stop, Freeman armed himself with two large knives and threatened to harm himself and anyone who approached him,” Cote said. “The operator of the vehicle was escorted to safety and officers from the Sheriff’s Office, the Ellsworth Police Department and the Maine State Police established a perimeter to contain Freeman.”
Cote spoke with Freeman for nearly 45 minutes attempting to de-escalate the situation, police said.
“Freeman eventually fell unconscious from what was later determined to be a combination of drugs and alcohol,” Cote said. “He was removed from the vehicle and medical aid was rendered including Narcan.”
After being treated at the hospital, Freeman was taken to the Hancock County Jail where he was still incarcerated Tuesday, March 14.
Freeman is on probation and is being held on a probation hold as well.
The Ellsworth Fire Department also assisted at the scene along with Northern Light Ambulance Service.
Jennifer Osborn is a St. Louis, Mo. native and has a bachelor's degree in English Literature from the University of Missouri-Columbia.
She has a husband and a 19-year-old son.
