MACHIAS, Maine — Update 10:30 p.m.:
A Maine Department of Corrections resident who reportedly walked off his assigned worksite has been placed in custody late Thursday night following a seven-hour standoff with police.
James Berube, a Down East Correctional Facility resident, was found at a Pleasant Point residence and taken into custody at approximately 9:45 p.m., according to a news release from the Maine Department of Corrections.
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Original story:
Police are searching for a Maine Department of Corrections resident who reportedly "walked away" from his assigned worksite in Machias early Thursday morning.
Around midnight Thursday, James Berube, a Down East Correctional Facility resident, walked away from Maine Wild where he was assigned work, a release from MDOC said.
"Berube, who is serving a 12-year sentence for kidnapping, burglary, theft, arson, and eluding an officer with all but five years suspended, was working at Maine Wild," the release said.
MDOC described Berube as being 6 feet tall and 180 pounds with blonde hair and blue eyes. Berube was last seen wearing a black and blue hooded sweatshirt, blue jeans, and a denim jacket, according to the release.
MDOC law enforcement, the Maine State Police, and the Washington County Sheriff's Office are on the scene searching for Berube.
"The Maine Department of Corrections is seeking assistance from the public regarding his whereabouts," the release said. "If you encounter Berube, please do not confront him."
Police ask that anyone with information about his whereabouts to contact MDOC at 207-592-1671 or 207-285-0880.