Suspect in Calais chase makes court appearance
CALAIS - An Ellsworth man who nearly ran over a police officer and then led police on a high-speed chase through the city earlier this week appeared in 4th District Court on Friday.
Police were uncertain as to Daniel Mutty's connection with Calais, but according to the Maine Sex Offender Registry he gave a vacant lot in Calais as his permanent address.
Mutty, 32, was charged with aggravated criminal mischief, criminal threatening, failure to stop for an officer, driving to endanger, and two counts of reckless conduct as a result of his June 14 chase through the city.
It began Wednesday when a teller at Bangor Savings Bank on North Street notified police that Mutty was attempting to cash a forged check at the bank's drive-through window.
A teller notified the Maine State Police that Mutty had altered his last payroll check from the company, and police notified banks throughout the state.
In Calais, another teller notified city police that Mutty was there and trying to cash another company check. When an officer went to the bank, Mutty fled. Eventually his truck rolled down North Street and hit a parked vehicle.
The officers found Mutty hiding about a block away.
In court on Friday, Calais attorney John Mitchell represented Mutty until a court appointed attorney could be assigned.
When the judge asked Mutty if he had any money he said, "they [the police] confiscated all my money." He then shrugged.
First District Attorney Paul Cavanaugh then told the judge about Mutty's lengthy criminal record that began in 1992 with assault. Mutty also was charged in 1993 with escape, criminal mischief and terrorizing. He was charged with terrorizing, burglary and theft and aggravated assault in 1994. He also was charged with failure to appear in 1997. In 2000, Mutty was charged with unlawful sexual contact and was ordered to serve five years in prison. That same year he also was charged with theft and terrorizing.
In 2001 he was charged with forgery and being a habitual offender. He was charged as a habitual offender again in 2002.
Cavanaugh said Mutty's criminal record stretched across three other counties - York, Hancock and Penobscot - in addition to Washington County.
The district attorney also told the judge that when Mutty was ordered to register as a sex offender he listed a vacant lot in Calais as his permanent address.
Cavanaugh then asked the judge to set a high bail for Mutty. "He's only been out three months. This requires serious bail," he said.
But attorney Mitchell reminded the judge that Mutty was innocent regardless of the seriousness of the charges. Addressing the question of bail, Mitchell admitted that although his client has had problems with the law he never failed to appear although he got "detoured on occasion to jail or prison."
Mitchell asked that once Mutty's attorney was on board they be allowed to readdress the question of bail.
The judge then set bail at $50,000 single surety or $25,000 cash with conditions. Mutty, who remained in the Washington County jail Friday night, is expected to be arraigned July 24 in Washington County Superior Court.
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