WALDO — The Waldo County Sheriff's Office have apprehended 16-year-old Tyler Ellsworth following a brief chase into the woods in Waldo May 6. Police had been seeking him for allegedly discharing a handgun multiple times into a wooded area near the home of another juvenile, April 30, in Swanville. 

On May 6, the Waldo County Sheriff's Office received an anonymous tip that Ellsworth was living at a residence on Moosehead Trail in Waldo. Detectives Gerald Lincoln, Dale Brown and Deputies Ben Seekins and Cody Laite were joined by Maine State Police Trooper Eric Verhille and his K-9 unit when they went to the residence in search of Ellsworth, according to a May 7 news release.

When deputies arrived, Ellsworth was seen in the yard and he immediately ran into the woods. Police apprehended him.

Ellsworth is currently detained at the Mountain View Youth Detention Center. Detectives are continuing their investigation and additional charges may be forthcoming on additional individuals.

BELFAST — The Waldo County Sheriff's Office is hunting for a 16-year-old they believe allegedly discharged a handgun multiple times into a wooded area near the home of another juvenile, April 30, in Swanville.

The Knox County Sheriff’s Office petition the court to charge Tyler Ellsworth with Terrorizing with a Dangerous Weapon and Reckless Conduct with a Dangerous Weapon. Both of these charges are Class C felonies.

However, Ellsworth has not been located, and law enforcement is asking the public for help. According to state statute, a juvenile’s identity cannot be released until a petition has been filed with the court. Waldo County Sheriff’s Office did that, reaching out to the juvenile prosecutor in Waldo County. The Sheriff’s Office had issue a temporary warrant based on the two felonies involved.

At approximately 7 p.m., April 30, the Sheriff’s Office said the Waldo County Regional Dispatch Center received a report of a disturbance on the Town House Road in the Town of Swanville.

“The complainant indicated that, their son, a 16 year-old-male, was in the front yard of their residence when a vehicle passed in front of the home,” an SO news release said. “The 16-year-old-male observed a passenger, known to him, yelling out the window at him. The passenger displayed a handgun and fired multiple shots into a wooded area near the complainant's son. The male passenger was yelling threats to kill the complainant's son as he fired the multiple shots.”

Because of that incident, the Belfast Area High School stepped up security precautions May 1. (Shots fired overnight in Swanville prompt heightened security at Belfast high school)

On May 6, the Sheriff’s Office said that despite the fact that the suspect is a juvenile, it was releasing his name because of the court petition.

“We are releasing the name, description and photograph of Tyler Ellsworth in an attempt to elicit public assistance in locating him,” the Sheriff’s Office said, in its release. “It is also important to note that anyone who harbors, conceals or aides Mr. Ellsworth with the intention of assisting him from being apprehended can be charged with Hindering Apprehension, a Class D crime.

“Law Enforcement has been unable to locate Mr. Ellsworth or the weapon used in this incident. It is possible that Mr. Ellsworth is still in possession of the weapon. If anyone observes Mr. Ellsworth or if they have information regarding his location they should call Detective Dale Brown at the Waldo County Sheriff's Office at 338-2040.”