SOUTH PORTLAND, Maine – On Tuesday, May 13, 2025 at approximately 11:30 AM, South Portland Police conducted a search and arrest warrant at 19 Orkney Street in Portland. The subject of the arrest warrant is a suspect in a burglary and is known to associate with individuals who carry and use firearms in the commission of crimes. Officers also had reason to believe that there may be ammunition in the home. A four-person team made up of Southern Maine Regional SWAT team members (all South Portland Police officers), together with Detectives from the South Portland Police Department and members of the Portland Police Department, traveled to the above address to arrest 19-year-old Miles Hibbard and search his home for evidence of a crime.

Upon arrival at 19 Orkney Street, officers observed a sole male subject closely matching the description of Hibbard, which was developed from a driver’s license photograph. The male exited a vehicle and walked towards 19 Orkney Street. Believing this individual was the subject of the warrant, officers exited their vehicle and ordered him to stop and lay down on the ground. Officers had guns drawn, as is standard procedure in an arrest warrant where firearms may be present. Police patted the young man down, handcuffed him, and escorted him away from the target house. While identifying him, officers quickly determined that this young man was not the subject of the arrest warrant. They immediately released him and one other individual who officers detained in the vehicle from which the other exited, with the entire incident lasting less than 5 minutes.

Immediately after determining that the juvenile was not the subject of the arrest warrant, the officers regrouped and executed the search warrant at 19 Orkney Street, later arresting Hibbard at his workplace in Cape Elizabeth. 

Officers at the scene and Chief Ahern have spoken with family members of the individuals who were temporarily detained, as well as Deering High School staff. This police action took place near the high school, where some students witnessed the events that occurred. Chief Ahern states, “This was an unfortunate circumstance where two young men, who were enjoying their lunch break from Deering High School, parked their car nearly in front of a house that was to be searched by police. One of the young men matched the description of the subject who lives in the house and was briefly detained. As a parent myself I completely understand how this incident could be very upsetting for innocent young people caught in the middle of a police action. I’m grateful to school administrators for providing resources to anyone affected by this incident. I believe our officers acted reasonably and appropriately given the circumstances and information they had at the time.” The South Portland Police Department will be further reviewing this incident to ensure that all protocols and procedures were followed.

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