Police say an Easton man has been charged in the death of a 79-year-old man at a home in Bridgewater Wednesday evening.

Maine State Police arrested 37-year-old James Peaslee of Easton early Thursday morning and charged him with the murder of Paul Hilenski of Bridgewater.

Maine State Police
Maine State Police
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The Penobscot County Communications Center received a 911 call just before 6 p.m. Wednesday from Hilenski's home at 227 Boundary Line Road in Bridgewater. The call was transferred to the Aroostook County Sheriff’s Office.

Sheriff's Deputies and State Troopers responded and found Hilenski's body inside the home, police say.

Peaslee was arrested by Troopers while driving on the West Ridge Road in Easton about 1 a.m. Thursday. He was transported to the Aroostook County Jail without incident. His vehicle was secured and transported to the State Police barracks in Houlton.

Later today, members of the Maine State Police – Major Crimes Unit and Evidence Response Team will be searching the Hilenski residence in Bridgewater and Peaslee's home on the Station Road in Easton.

An autopsy will take place at the State Medical Examiner's Office in Augusta.

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