ROCKPORT – A Thomaston man was arrested by Rockport Police April 10 for causing extensive damage to an emergency department room at MaineHealth Pen Bay Hospital.

Benjamin Witham, 22, was charged with aggravated criminal mischief for alleged damages exceeding $32,000.

Witham made his initial appearance via Zoom with Knox County Court on the charge April 13. Judge Sarah Gilbert set his bail at $10,000 cash. He is required to take his prescribed medications, cannot return to Pen Bay unless it is a medical emergency, and follow the terms of his current probation from an earlier charge.

According to the affidavit filed in court by Rockport Police, Witham complained that his bed in the emergency room was uncomfortable, so he was moved to a different room with another bed. Immediately after he was relocated, he began damaging the  room. He threw trash, pulled a television monitor off a stand, destroyed medical equipment including a monitor, computer, telephone, and pulled cords out of the wall. He also broke a sink which flooded the room, swung on an overhead light, and urinated on the floor.

The total damage was estimated at $32, 215 with the highest expenses including a sterile exam light at $12,000 and floor and headwall damages at $7,000. Police reported that two inches of water flooded the room due to the broken faucet.

Police were able to handcuff Witham and transport him to the Knox County Jail. None of the hospital staff were injured during the incident.

Witham is scheduled to appear in court again June 4 for a dispositional conference.

Reach Sarah Shepherd at news@penbaypilot.com.