PORTLAND, Maine — Portland police have arrested a man accused of wielding a knife and chasing children around a grocery store parking lot Tuesday evening.
Portland said they received several reports about the incident at the Shaw's parking lot on Auburn Street. The grocery store is located in Portland's North Deering neighborhood.
Officers arrived at the scene around 9:20 p.m. and took 54-year-old Curtis Crawford into custody. Crawford is reportedly unhoused, according to a Wednesday release from the police department.
"We would like to recognize the staff at Shaw’s, who during this time, sheltered the children in the store and locked the doors, helping keep them safe while officers were responding to the scene," the release stated.
Crawford was charged with criminal threatening with a dangerous weapon and criminal trespassing.
Police are asking anyone with information about this incident to call 207-874-8575, or text PPDME and a message to 847411.
To provide information anonymously:
Call 207-874-8584 and leave a message on the department’s Crime Tip line.
Text “PPDME” plus the message to 847411 (TIP411).