Lewiston man arrested on murder charges following five-hour standoff

erry Thibodeau (Androscoggin Jail photo)

LEWISTON, Maine - A Lewiston man was arrested on murder charges following a five-hour standoff on Saturday night.

Police got involved on Friday around 7:30 p.m. when an adult male was dropped off at the Emergency Department of St. Mary's Hospital in Lewiston. The injured male, 40-year-old Anthony Ayotte of Lewiston, later succumbed to his injuries.

After detectives working with Lewiston Police conducted interviews and collected evidence the suspect was identified as 36-years-old Jerry Thibodeau.

Shortly after 5 p.m. on Saturday Lewiston Police located Thibodeau at a residence on Sabattus Street where he refused to leave the home. The Maine State Police Tactical Team and Crisis Negotiation Team responded and shortly after 10 p.m. Thibodeau was taken into custody without incident.

He is believed to have dropped Ayotte at the hospital Friday night. The two were known to each other, police say.

Thibodeau was transported to the Androscoggin County Jail where he will make an initial appearance in Androscoggin District Court today.

The deceased was transported to the Office of Chief Medical Examiner in Augusta where an autopsy was expected to be performed on Sunday to determine cause of death.