Father and Son Arrested in Princeton Home Invasion

On 07/10/2017 at about 11:33 am the Washington County RCC received a 911 call from a caller stating that there was a home invasion at 29 Mill Street in Princeton. The caller advised that the home owner Rodney Fitch 50 was bleeding from the head and that he was attempting to control bleeding. The caller further stated that a man had entered Mr. Fitch’s home and assaulted him. The RCC dispatched Deputies, Police units and the ambulance to the residence.

 A short time later authorities learned the alleged perpetrator (s) had left the residence on foot and were given a description by the home owner. A Sheriff’s Deputy K-9 and State Police K-9 were dispatched to the area to conduct a track. The K-9 track by Deputy Allen and Cpl. Smith of the State Police led to a small camper on Willow St. in Princeton occupied by Joel Hayward Sr. and Joel Hayward Jr., no one was home at the time. During the course of the investigation both Hayward Sr. and Jr. became suspects in the alleged home invasion. Deputy Carter and Indian Township Police received information that a man had been seen hiding in a field near the Princeton Fire station. Officers responded and found Joel Hayward Jr., 24, a short ways away at the Princeton Irving where they took him into custody.

 Indian Township Police along with Indian Township Wardens and Baileyville Police located Joel Hayward Sr. (49) at the Princeton Post Office and he was taken into custody.

Deputy Carter arrested Joel Hayward Sr., 49, of Princeton for Aggravated Assault (class B) and Burglary (class B) as well as Joel Hayward Jr. 24 of Princeton for Aggravated Assault (class B) and Burglary (class B). Both men were transported to the Washington County Jail were they are being held No bail information is available at the time of this release.

 Mr. Fitch was transported to the Calais Regional Hospital where he was treated for his head wounds and later released. 

A search warrant was executed on the camper located at 9 Willow Street where Deputies recovered additional evidence connected with the aforementioned crimes.

The Sheriff’s Office was assisted in this investigation by the Indian Township Police and Wardens, the Baileyville Police Department, U.S. Border Patrol, the Maine State Police and Maine Warden Service. The Sheriffs Office also received much appreciated information from the public during this incident, any one with further information can contact the RCC at 207-255-8308.