Matt Byrne

Staff Writer

Matt Byrne has covered crime and public safety for the Press Herald since 2016. It is his second beat since being hired at the Press Herald in late 2012, when he left the Boston Globe's suburban news bureau. Matt grew up outside Philadelphia, moved to Boston to attend Emerson College and now loves living in Maine. When he is not nerding out on court documents or listening to a police scanner, Matt loves to work on old cars, make things out of metal and try new craft beers. Offers to drive your race car, or news tips, are always welcome.

Local & State, News

Early-morning explosions wake you? Blame partying boat captain

by Matt Byrne February 2, 2017February 2, 2017

Police say Russell Parmenter set off mortar-style fireworks around 1:30 a.m. from his boat tied up at the Maine Wharf.

Cops & Courts, Local & State, News

Portland handyman with history of fraud issued summons in South Portland

by Matt Byrne February 1, 2017February 2, 2017

Police say Daniel B. Tucci Sr., who was ordered by a judge in 2013 to stop doing home repair work, took $600 for a garage repair project that he never completed.

Cops & Courts, Local & State, News

Plea deal between prosecutor, Portland Black Lives Matter protesters collapses

by Matt Byrne February 1, 2017April 6, 2017

When the 17 protesters insist on attending a restorative justice meeting as one group, rather than in two separate sessions, the prosecutor calls off the meeting.

Local & State, News

Fake explosive device found in Westbrook woods belonged to National Guard

by Matt Byrne January 31, 2017January 31, 2017

A PVC pipe with tape, wires and a cellphone was determined to be a training device left behind by the nearby Guard unit during previous training.

Local & State

Searchers comb Route 109 area in Sanford for missing woman

by Matt Byrne January 31, 2017February 1, 2017

Police and wardens are searching for Kerry Rear, 40, who was last seen Jan. 22 at the Lil’ Mart in Sanford.

Local & State, News

Police charge driver in crash with Amtrak train in Portland

by Matt Byrne January 31, 2017January 31, 2017

Derso Mekonen faces two counts of endangering the welfare of a child, with each carrying a maximum penalty of one year in jail and a $1,000 fine.

Local & State, News

Saco woman remembered for unfailing kindness

by Matt Byrne January 31, 2017January 31, 2017

Amber Pearl Morrow, 21, had a knack for reaching out to others, often as a way of soothing her own pain of rejection.

Cops & Courts, Local & State, News

A violent offender’s last act, a lesson for law enforcement

by Matt Byrne January 29, 2017January 28, 2017

Norman J. Strobel Jr.’s deadly shootout in Maine last fall ended a lifelong pattern of abuse against women, a history that often managed to fly under the radar of successive investigators.