WASHINGTON, Maine — A Thomaston woman was arrested Monday, Aug. 25 accused by police of trying to run over officers as they were taking people into custody who were suspected of being in the country illegally.
Olivia G. Wilkins, 24, of Thomaston, was arrested by the Knox County Sheriff’s Office and charged with reckless conduct with a dangerous weapon, criminal threatening with a dangerous weapon, obstructing government administration, driving to endanger and failure to stop for an officer.
She was taken to the Knox County Jail in Rockland where bail was set at $50,000 cash. She was scheduled to make her initial court appearance Wednesday afternoon, Aug. 27.
An affidavit filed in court by Maine State Police Trooper Jeremiah Wesbrock stated that he responded to assist Knox County Sheriff deputies with a crash on Route 17 in Washington at the intersection of West Washington Road involving a box truck. The truck went off the road shortly after noon Monday and struck a tree, crumpling the cab.
Upon the arrival of emergency units, crews found two people were trapped in the vehicle and required extrication.
Deputies identified Victor Cardona Calderon, 57, of New York, as the driver of the vehicle. The passengers included Johan Andres Ortiz Calderon, Agustin Sanchez Mejia, and Alejandro Ramos Chaux. Two of the passengers were subsequently transported for further medical assessment and treatment. Alejandro was taken by LifeFlight to a trauma center. Agustin was taken to MaineHealth Pen Bay Hospital in Rockport.
Trooper Wesbrock said at the crash scene, the driver presented a passport from Colombia and a New York state driver’s license. The trooper stated in the affidavit that based on his experience and training he thought the driver and passenger may be in the country illegally. He contacted the U.S. Border Patrol. Border Patrol Capt. Willis arrived and began interviewing the people who had been in the vehicle.
A passing motorist in a Lexus stopped and the driver was told to leave and that she could not stop Border Patrol from doing its job. The car then squealed its tires and Wesbrock said the vehicle was headed toward Capt. Willis and himself, and was trying to run them over.
“I drew my issued firearm and pointed at the driver who swerved as I was pulling the trigger,” Wesbrock said. The report was not clear on whether a round was fired.
The woman drove away and was pursued by the Sheriff’s Office and State Police. The chase ended when the Lexus went off the road around 571 West Washington Road. Wilkins was taken into custody and to the jail.
A Border Patrol spokesman said the office would respond to the Midcoast Villager’s questions on whether anyone from the box truck was taken into custody and why if they did.
This story appears through a media partnership with Midcoast Villager.
