
Scott, the Manager at Reny’s, Said that Outdoor Diners at the Neighboring Taco Escobarr, 548 Congress Street, Got a Good Look at Hale and Were Able to Identify Him. Hale was on a Bicycle.
On Friday, October 15, 2021, at about 12:45 pm., while officers were responding to a report of theft at Reny’s, 540 Congress Street, a suspect threw an object through one of the store’s windows. Then, on Saturday, October 16, 2021 at about 2:08 pm, Portland Police Officers responded to 585 Congress Street for a report of criminal mischief at Flea For All, where windows had been broken. After an investigation, Michael Hale, 51, of Portland, was identified as the suspect in both vandalism incidents and charged by summons with two counts of Aggravated Criminal Mishcief according to a press release from the Portland Police Department this afternoon.
Scott, the manager at Reny’s, said the police who responded to the call Friday afternoon, said the Portland Police Department is “not arresting people who have not physically hurt people.” That’s because of the COVID-19 issues at the Cumberland County Jail. Jack, an employee at Reny’s, said he was at lunch when the incident happened. When he returned he saw a lot of glass inside the store as well as on the street. Scott, has been with Reny’s for ten years and at this Portland location for just over a year.
In a separate incident, on Saturday, October 16th at about 7:26 AM officers responded to 49 Wharf Street for a report of a burglary. Officers found broken windows, extensive damage and missing items from Jefe Juan’s. While investigating officers discovered another business, Rathskeller Wharf, had a broken window. These two incidents are under investigation and are not believed to be related to the vandalism incidents on Congress Street.
If you have any information that could be helpful to the Portland Police Department in resolving these cases, please call (207) 874-8575.