A 41-year-old Friendship, Maine, man was arrested Dec. 11 and charged with multiple offenses after allegedly using his lobster boat in a threatening manner toward other mariners.
Chad Benner was charged with felony reckless conduct with a dangerous weapon, along with misdemeanor counts of criminal threatening, terrorizing, and violations of the condition of release, according to the Midcoast Villager.
According to Assistant District Attorney Christopher Fernald, Benner allegedly drove his lobster boat at eight to ten knots toward two men who were in a skiff at a dock and turned away at the last second, missing them by inches. Fernald made the statement during Benner’s initial court appearance on Dec. 12 in Knox County state court.
Prosecutors also allege that Benner passed another lobsterman on the water and made a motion as if he was going to cut his throat. The alleged incident occurred on Nov. 24, but Benner was not arrested until Dec. 11 following an investigation by the Maine Marine Patrol.
Benner had been out on bail for prior charges, including kidnapping, domestic violence assault, obstructing report of a crime, criminal restraint, and cruelty to animals. Police previously said Benner had locked a woman and her dog in the engine room of his lobster boat for several hours during an incident in September.
Benner’s defense attorney said his client denied the claims and noted that Benner was arrested while at a substance abuse rehabilitation facility in Portland. Judge John Martin allowed Benner to return to complete the rehab program, and following his completion, bail conditions will include no contact with the alleged victims and a prohibition on operating a watercraft.
