Portland Interim Police Chief F. Heath Gorham at a Recent Press Conference During Which he Said that the Portland Police Department is Seriously Understaffed and Looking for Hirees.

This morning, Sunday, October 16, 2022, just after 2:30 am., Portland Police were called to Rick’s Cabaret, 200 Riverside Street, for the report of a disturbance where a patron threatened staff with a firearm.

When officers arrived, a subject later identified as Griffin Dirocco (DOB 8-20-1998), Portland, who was still standing in the parkig lot, was identified by staff as the person with the firearm.  Officers attempted to stop Dirococo, but he fled on foot and was taken into custody after a short foot pursuit.  During the arrest, an officer received non-life threatening injuries as Dirococo resisted arrest.  He also spat on a second officer while he was being processed at the Cumberland County Jail.

During the foot pursuit Dirococo discarded a loaded semi-automatic handgun and a 32 round drum magazine.  The firearm had been reported stolen out of Biddeford.

Didrococo has been charged with Theft by Receiving Stolen Property, Criminal Threatening with a Firearm, Assault on a Police Officer. Assault and Failure to Submit to Arrest.

Investigators are urging any one with information that would assist them in this case, to call Portland Police at 207 874-8575.