A man wanted by the Waldoboro Police Dept. turned himself in to the Knox Sheriffs Office Monday. Knox County Sheriff’s Deputy John Palmer took Christopher Benner, 34, into custody without incident around 10:30 a.m., according to a press release issued by the Waldoboro Police Dept.
Benner was released on $75,000 surety, said officials at the Knox County Jail.
Benner was sought as a suspect in the Jan. 19 assault on a 63-year-old Nobleboro man in the parking lot of the Hannaford Brothers Supermarket in Waldoboro.
The assault took place after the victim and his assailant reportedly exchanged words about the assailant’s pickup truck being parked illegally in a handicapped spot, according to a press release issued by the Waldoboro Police Dept.
After being beaten unconscious, the victim was dragged across the parking lot and placed into his car, according to the press release.
The victim was brought to Miles Memorial Hospital where he was treated for injuries, including a fractured skull and brain hemorrhaging, said Waldoboro Police Chief Bill Labombarde at the time of the incident. He was released from the hospital the next day, Labombarde said.
Benner’s arrest follows two requests for the public’s assistance by the Waldoboro Police.
“We never would have identified him without the public’s help,” Labombarde said, “and we might never have found him without the tips we got on his whereabouts.”
After all leads ran cold during the initial investigation, Labombarde issued a press release asking for the public’s help identifying the man responsible for the assault. Tips they received following that press release identified Benner as their primary suspect.
Benner eluded capture for several weeks after police obtained a warrant for his arrest. Waldoboro Police followed with a second request for the public’s assistance March 19, asking for tips to his location.
As a result, Waldoboro Police received numerous tips from the public. As soon as information was made available to police, it was promptly investigated throughout the weekend by members of the Waldoboro and Thomaston Police Depts. and Lincoln County and Knox County Sheriff’s Deputies.
“I would like to thank everyone who assisted in this matter,” Labombarde said in a press release on March 22.
