|
Wednesday, July 28, 2004
Former Rams star arrested
Copyright © 2004 Blethen Maine Newspapers Inc. | ||
 |
||
Former Mr. Maine Basketball recipient Nik Caner-Medley was arrested and charged with disorderly conduct Friday night after a disturbance in the Old Port. Caner-Medley, 20, is scheduled to appear in district court in October. A member of the University of Maryland men's basketball team, Caner-Medley was named the top boys' basketball player in Maine as a senior at Deering High in 2002. According to a report filed with the Portland Police Department, Caner-Medley was arrested at 10:55 p.m. Friday at Pearl and Commercial streets after a confrontation involving a group of people. Police Lieutenant Vern Malloch, head of investigations for the department, confirmed Caner-Medley's arrest. Deputy Chief William Ridge said Caner-Medley will not face underage drinking charges because he cannot be placed in a bar and did not admit to drinking. A police report stated that officers were flagged down Friday night by a passing motorist who said there was a fight down the street. The officers arrived at the scene and found a group that included Caner-Medley. "Caner-Medley was there, yelling," said Lt. Malloch, reading from the police report. "He took his shirt off and threatened to assault (the complainant). (Caner-Medley's) friends were trying to restrain him. He was intoxicated and made a statement, 'I'm from Maryland, and nobody can beat me.' "Several other people stopped and said (Caner-Medley) was out of control, but none of those people wanted to give statements." Windham high boys' basketball coach Kevin Millington was with Caner-Medley on Friday night. "I came outside when the whole thing happened," said Millington, who coached Caner-Medley in AAU basketball. "Nik got approached by some people, like he always does. They got a little mouthy with him and he got mouthy back." Officers Les Smith and Victor Cote took a statement from the complainant, whose name was not released. "The feeling I got was the cops had everything under control," Millington said. "The police were there, but other people were around and they started taking pictures . . . it got a little blown out of proportion." Officer Gayle Petty transported Caner-Medley to the Cumberland County jail, where he was admitted at 11:39 p.m. Friday and released on $1,000 unsecured bail at 12:24 a.m. Saturday. Jail officials said bail conditions for Caner-Medley stated he cannot possess alcohol or illegal drugs, and he is not allowed to return to the Old Port (Middle, Commercial, Pearl or Union streets). If Caner-Medley violates the conditions of his bail, he will be sent back to jail. Caner-Medley is scheduled to appear in Portland District Court at 8:30 a.m. Oct. 1. Calls to the residences and offices of Caner-Medley's parents, Janet Caner and Joseph Medley, were not returned Tuesday. Mark Fratto, an assistant media relations director at Maryland, said he spoke with Terrapins Coach Gary Williams, who didn't have an official comment. Williams could not be reached; Fratto said he is on a recruiting trip in California. "In instances such as this, you have to deal with each person individually," Fratto said. "The basketball program and Coach Williams are still getting all the details. We're still trying to figure out what's going on." Asked if he had seen a police report, Fratto said: "I can't comment at all on that." Caner-Medley's arrest came a little over three weeks before the Maryland basketball team is scheduled to take a trip to Italy on Aug. 17. Fratto said Caner-Medley's status for the trip has not been determined. Caner-Medley, a 6-foot-8, 233-pound forward, averaged 12.2 points and 4.7 rebounds in 32 games as a sophomore for the Terrapins, who won the Atlantic Coast Conference tournament championship. Staff Writer Rachel Lenzi can be contacted at 791-6415 or at:
|
||