NORWAY — An Oxford man accused of hurting a police officer while attempting to destroy evidence after his arrest Monday night remained at Oxford County Jail on Tuesday.

According to police Chief Robert Federico, officer Jim Ventresca went to Stephens Memorial Hospital and received multiple stitches on his hand after it was slammed in a door by Scott P. Bowie, 38, of 86 Fore St., when he was trying to evade Ventresca at the Oxford County Jail.

Bowie was arrested by police in Norway on Monday on suspicion of attempting to steal two riding lawn mowers from an open garage on Pleasant Street.

Ventresca responded to the area Monday evening after a resident reported a suspicious vehicle in the area, according to Federico.

At the scene, Ventresca was approached by another resident who said he had seen a man wearing dark clothing pushing a riding lawn mower down the street, according to Federico. When the resident passed by again, the man had left, he told Ventresca.

Shortly afterward, Ventresca found a man he recognized as Bowie sitting in a snowbank by the road. Bowie told him he was waiting to be picked up by his friend, but “none of his story made sense,” Federico said.

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Ventresca found what appeared to be a brake pedal in Bowie’s pocket and when he wouldn’t answer any of his questions, he detained him. Federico said Norway police believe another suspect was involved in the apparent theft.

In a search of the area, Ventresca found two riding lawn mowers, one with a broken brake pedal, Federico said. He found the lawn mowers were being kept in a garage nearby. The owner of the garage said its door had been left open that evening.

According to Federico, police also found a strip of Suboxone, a controlled drug commonly used to treat narcotics addiction, on Bowie.

Ventresca was injured when Bowie, during an interview at Oxford County Jail, “jumped” onto the desk and grabbed the Suboxone strip, Federico said.

Bowie ran into an adjoining holding cell, slamming the door on Ventresca’s hand, Federico reported. Ventresca was able to get the door open and struggled with Bowie to prevent him from putting the strip in his mouth, until a jail guard intervened and pepper-sprayed Bowie to subdue him, Federico said. The strip was recovered.

Bowie appeared in 11th District Court on Tuesday afternoon and was charged with assault on an officer, falsifying evidence and unlawful possession of illegal drugs. His bail was set at $3,000 cash or $10,000 surety.

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pmcguire@sunjournal.com

NORWAY — An Oxford man accused of hurting a police office while attempting to destroy evidence after his arrest Monday night remained behind bars at Oxford County Jail Tuesday.

According to Norway Police Chief Robert Federico, Officer Jim Ventresca went to Stephens Memorial Hospital and received multiple stitches on his hand after it was slammed in a door by Scott P. Bowie, 38, when he was trying to evade Ventresca at the Oxford County Jail.

Bowie, was arrested by police in Norway on Monday on suspicion of attempting to steal two riding lawn mowers from an open garage on Pleasant Street.

Ventresca responded to the area on Monday evening after a resident reported a suspicious vehicle in the area, according to Federico.

At the scene, Ventresca was approached by another resident who said he had seen a man wearing dark clothing pushing a riding lawn mower down the street, according to Federico. When the resident passed by again, the man had left, he told Ventresca.

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Shortly afterward, Ventresca found a man he recognized as Bowie sitting in a snowbank by the road. Bowie told him he was waiting to be picked up by his friend, but “none of his story made sense,” Federico said.

Ventresca found what appeared to be the brake pedal in Bowie’s pocket and when he wouldn’t answer any of his questions, he detained him. Federico said Norway Police believe another suspect was involved in the apparent theft.

In a search of the area, Ventresca found two riding lawnmowers, one with a broken brake pedal, Federico said. At the scene, he found the lawnmowers were being kept in a garage nearby. The owner of the garage said its door had been left open that evening.

According to Federico, police also found a strip of Suboxone, a controlled drug commonly used to treat narcotics addiction, on Bowie.

Ventresca was injured when Bowie, during an interview at Oxford County Jail, “jumped” onto the desk and grabbed the Suboxone strip, Federico said.

Bowie then ran into an adjoining holding cell, slamming the door on Ventresca’s hand, Federico reported. Ventresca was able to get the door open and struggled with Bowie to prevent him from putting the strip in his mouth, until a Jail guard intervened and pepper-sprayed Bowie to subdue him, Federico said. The strip was recovered from the scene.

Bowie appeared in South Paris District Court on Tuesday afternoon and was charged with assault on an officer, a class C crime, falsifying evidence, and unlawful possession of illegal drugs. His bail was set at $3,000 cash or $10,000 surety.

pmcguire@sunjournal.com


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