Oxford motorcyclist charged with criminal speed during charity run

RUMFORD — Allegedly riding a motorcycle 39 mph over the speed limit during a charity run Sunday in Rumford Center netted an Oxford man a trip to Rumford District Court in November.

James A. Bowden, 30, of 874 Main St., was summoned on a charge of criminal speed at 9:55 a.m. Sunday, according to Rumford police Cpl. Doug Maifeld. He will be arraigned Nov. 3.

Maifeld said Tuesday that he clocked Bowden at 74 mph in a 35 mph zone.

Maifeld said he was at Rumford Center watching for speeders when 49 motorcyclists came through on what he believed to be part of the statewide Toys For Tots charity ride. Bowden was the 50th rider.

"I was out running radar and I could hear this loud rumble as they were coming toward me," Maifeld said.

"A couple of them were testing my patience by speeding up and slowing, and then he just comes flying by too fast — 39 mph over the limit — holy mackerel!" Maifeld said of Bowden, who was riding a Victory bike with a dealer plate registered to Maine-Ly Action Sports, 596 Main St., Oxford.

"He said he was trying to catch up with the group and that they were doing the run for a buddy with a brain tumor," Maifeld said.

That's why he said he summoned Bowden instead of arresting him.

"I respected his cause, and then I told him we have to do our job as police officers and enforce speed limits for safety reasons and to tell the group, 'Don't push our limits,'" Maifeld said. "I said, 'If you want our respect, don't push the envelope.'"

"Some of them were hitting 50, 52, 53 mph — and they were purposely speeding up to get that — and traffic was really heavy that day, so, it wouldn't have taken much to wipe out a bunch of motorcyclists," Maifeld said.

In other police news, Maifeld and Sgt. David Bean are investigating Monday night's vandalism spree in which someone punctured tires on seven vehicles parked on Knox Street. The first complaint came in at 7:10 a.m. Tuesday.

While investigating, Maifeld said he and Bean then walked the street and found the other six cars.

"I'm guessing it was a sharp tool like an ice pick, because it was really hard to see the hole," Maifeld said.

Owners of the six other vehicles had yet to discover the crimes that happened sometime after 10 p.m. Monday.

"We have a suspect," Maifeld said. "This wasn't someone targeting people. These are all unrelated people. It was just random vandalism."

He estimated the damage at between $500 and $1,000.

"Tires on some of the cars run $70 or $80, but there were some nice big tires on a truck that will be expensive," Maifeld said. "We have a lead and, hopefully, we will have some charges soon."

tkarkos@sunjournal.com