Portage man arrested after skidder damages home, closes Route 11

PORTAGE LAKE, Maine (WAGM) - A Portage man was arrested Aug. 8 after driving a grapple skidder into a residence and obstructing Route 11, according to the Aroostook County Sheriff’s Office.

What happened

Deputies responded at approximately 4:40 p.m. to a report of a grapple skidder blocking Route 11 in Portage Lake. Callers also reported that a nearby residence appeared to have been torn apart and that the driver was behaving strangely.

When deputies arrived, the male subject was standing on the roof of the skidder. He was coaxed off the roof and taken into custody.

Sheriff Peter Johnson said the incident began when Gary Belanger left his residence, returned in an altered state of mind, and then left again following a conversation with his wife and daughter about ongoing court cases involving another individual.

The residence sustained significant damage from the skidder’s grapple hook and plow attachment and is considered a total loss. A large propane leak was also reported at the scene. No one was inside the home at the time, and no evacuations were ordered. Two dogs inside the residence were unharmed.

Road closure and investigation

Route 11 was closed for several hours as a result of the incident. The sheriff’s office said it is awaiting damage estimates and that no cost figure is available at this time.

Belanger was charged with aggravated criminal mischief, criminal trespass and violation of conditions of release. He was held at Aroostook County Jail without the opportunity to bail. The investigation is ongoing and additional charges are possible, Johnson said.