PARKMAN — Police are looking for a man with a long history of domestic violence who may be connected with the homicide of his ex-girlfriend Friday morning. They are asking the public for help in locating him.
Police want to question Robert G. Burton, 38, who lived with the woman until recently, Maine State Police spokesman Stephen McCausland said in an email. Burton is believed to be driving a black, four-wheel drive, extended cab Toyota Tacoma that has a Maine wildlife license plate 489-AKJ.
“If people see him, we ask you to call us and let us approach him,” state police Lt. Troy Gardner said at a command post set up at the Parkman Town Hall.
The body of Stephanie Ginn Gebo, 37, was discovered by her two children inside their home at 46 Kulas Road, McCausland said. A 911 call was made at 6:15 a.m. Friday, and when Piscataquis County Sheriff’s deputies arrived, they determined Ginn Gebo was deceased, Gardner said.
“The relationship ended a week ago,” Gardner said. He did not know if Ginn Gebo had filed for a restraining order against Burton.
“The children are safe,” Gardner said. “And we’ve talked to them.”
“Burton is wanted for questioning,” McCausland said later. Maine game wardens have been called in to assist in the search.
Burton has convictions for kidnapping, assault with a dangerous weapon, terrorizing, assault, tampering with a witness, trafficking in prison contraband and several violations of conditions of release, and he has been in and out of jail and prison for more than a decade, according to a background check done with the state’s Bureau of Identification. He also has used the aliases Robert Elliot and Robert Glen Elliott, the report states.
Those with information about Burton’s whereabouts are asked to call state police in Bangor at 973-3700 or 911.
Burton lived at the home with Ginn Gebo and her children until last week. His previous addresses were in Monson, Guilford and Corinth, according to state records.
The Parkman address is just down the narrow dirt road from where David Grant was shot to death on May 12. Zachery Grant, the victim’s son, was later charged with murder in connection with the case. Burton stopped his truck as he was driving past that day to find out what had happened, and he expressed concern about something so horrific occurring just down the road from where he lived with his girlfriend and her two children.
“There is no indication they are connected in any way,” Gardner said about the two homicides that occurred within one mile of each other in a month’s time.
A team of detectives combed the Ginn Gebo home for evidence, working with the Piscataquis County Sheriff’s Office. Ginn Gebo’s aunt, who lives across the street from the home, said the family did not want to make a comment. Children could be seen playing in her yard.
Burton’s criminal history includes a violent incident in June 2002, according to state records and Bangor Daily News archives. He broke into a camp at Whetstone Pond and waited there until the mother of his former girlfriend arrived. He threatened to kill the woman while holding a rifle and tried to strangle her to keep her from screaming. The woman managed to convince Burton to leave the camp, and he fled on foot with a rifle, ammunition and a large knife.
Burton eluded police for two weeks before they found him at an abandoned Willimantic camp and arrested him after a four-hour standoff.
Burton was subsequently convicted of criminal threatening with a dangerous weapon, being a felon in possession of a firearm, assault and burglary.
He was sentenced in 2003 to 10 years in prison.
In 2000, Burton was convicted of terrorizing, assault, tampering with a victim and violation of conditions of release in a domestic violence case involving his girlfriend at the time.
He was sentenced to 13 months in prison.
In February 2012, Burton again violated his conditions of release, but this time his probation was revoked, and he was sentenced to prison for three years.
With the popularity of black pickup trucks, police handled a number of calls Friday, Gardner said.
“It’s a common vehicle. That is the reason why we released the license plate number,” he said.
In addition to state police and sheriff’s office personnel, half a dozen wardens are assisting with the search, Gardner said.
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