NEWRY — A Mexico, Maine, resident was arrested Wednesday after allegedly driving a vehicle onto Sunday River ski slopes, causing an estimated $45,000 in damage.
Jesse Bates, 33, was taken into custody at approximately 8 p.m. on March 12 at his residence and charged with aggravated criminal mischief and violation of conditions of release, according to the Oxford County Sheriff’s Office.
Deputies responded to Sunday River in Newry at approximately 6:30 a.m. on Sunday, March 9, where they discovered significant damage to ski slopes behind the South Ridge Lodge.
Authorities found large, deep ruts in the slopes apparently made by a vehicle that had crashed into ski lift scan gates before leaving the scene.
Working with Sunday River Security, deputies identified a suspect and located the vehicle, a dark-colored 2022 Subaru Impreza, at Bates’ residence in Mexico.
The Subaru had extensive body damage, officials said.
After several unsuccessful attempts to locate Bates, deputies arrested him without incident on Wednesday evening.
Bates was transported to the Oxford County Jail where he was booked into the facility.
The investigation remains ongoing, and authorities are asking anyone with additional information to contact the Oxford County Sheriff’s Office.
