AUGUSTA — Douglas McCaig, arrested after a three-plus hour standoff in which he allegedly threatened to kill a police officer following a traffic stop late Tuesday night, pleaded not guilty Friday in Augusta District Court.
McCaig, 68, who has addresses in Greene as well as Vero Beach, Fla., is charged with three misdemeanor offenses: criminal threatening, failure to stop for a police officer and refusing to submit to arrest.
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McCaig’s bail was set at $600 cash plus a Maine Pretrial Services contract with conditions that prohibit him from using or possessing alcohol and illegal drugs.
McCaig remained in Kennebec County jail Friday night.
McCaig was removed from his car in Monmouth with the aid of a police dog early Wednesday after he refused to get out, even after police fired pepper spray into it, according to an affidavit filed by Monmouth Police Officer Richard Alexander.
Alexander wrote that the incident — which closed U.S. Route 202 to traffic for several hours late Tuesday and early Wednesday — began when he attempted to stop McCaig “for failing to dim headlights.” Alexander said he could smell alcohol when he approached the car.
When he asked McCaig about the headlights, McCaig responded with an epithet, which was also his response to other questions, including how much he had had to drink, according to Alexander.
Alexander said McCaig then drove off and Alexander pulled him over again, this time approaching the car with his weapon drawn and yelling for McCaig to step out.
“Mr. McCaig started threatening that he would shoot me,” Alexander said. “I backed off and called for backup.”
Alexander said McCaig continued to yell that he would shoot the officers.
“Mr. McCaig also made several references to the killing of cops in New York,” Alexander wrote.
He said McCaig continued to try to drive off and at one point put the car in drive and moved forward. Eventually, Alexander wrote, the state police tactical team rammed McCaig’s car. No weapon was found inside.
On Friday, McCaig sat in a chair during his arraignment, in contrast to all the other defendants who stood next to their attorneys of the day. McCaig’s left arm appeared to be wrapped in a blue bandage or blue cast, and he appeared to have some difficulty standing.
McCaig was not charged with operating under the influence as of his Friday court appearance.
The prosecutor, Assistant District Attorney Kate Marshall, asked District Court Judge Eric Walker to set McCaig’s bail at $5,000 cash.
“Although the charges are misdemeanors, the totality of the conduct is rather severe,” she said. “The charges are rather significant when we’re looking at public safety.”
Marshall said McCaig threatened to shoot the officers, and “he said the officers in New York deserved to die.”
Defense attorney Stephen Bourget said the incident was out of character for McCaig, who is a retired accountant who had been scheduled to attend a real estate closing on property in Maine on Friday. Bourget said McCaig had talked to his wife and is considering retaining an attorney to represent him on the charges.
Bourget suggested bail of $600 cash since McCaig had between $680 and $700 on him when he was arrested. Walker said he would require a Maine Pretrial Services contract as well.
“It is very troubling, particularly with what’s going on with police officers in this country,” Walker said. “I would be more concerned if there was a weapon involved.”
Walker also noted that McCaig has no criminal record.
McCaig’s next hearing in Augusta District Court is 8:30 a.m. Jan. 22.
Betty Adams — 621-5631
Twitter: @betadams
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