BRUNSWICK, Maine — Five people were spotted leaving the Cumberland Farms on Pleasant Street in Brunswick before police arrived to investigate illegal drug activity.
According to a press release from Brunswick police, officers went to the convenience store to investigate but were informed the suspects had left in a red Volkswagen sedan with a driver possibly under the influence.
Rebecca Blier-Carter, communications supervisor for Brunswick police, stated that police located the car on Pleasant Street and stopped it but then it sped away. Blier-Carter said a chase began but had to be canceled quickly due to public safety concerns. However, the vehicle was found abandoned in a backyard where it ended up after driving across a lawn, through a fence, and into some trees at 29 Tarratine Drive. Police report that a witness saw the occupants of the car fleeing from the scene, leading them to call in K9 teams.
K9s from Topsham and Brunswick searched for two hours and covered nearly five miles before locating two of the suspects near the Bowdoin College ball fields on Harpswell Road. A third suspect was seen getting into a car that was later stopped, and the suspect was taken into custody, according to police.
Police said the following people were arrested and charged:
Richard Potter, 27, of Whitefield, Maine, was charged with violation of conditional release, refusing to submit, failure to identify, and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Nathan Taylor, 45, of Augusta, Maine, was the driver and was charged with eluding an officer, driving to endanger, criminal mischief, criminal speed, and theft.
Jessica Simmons, 29, of Pittston, was charged with violation of conditional release, refusing to submit, failure to identify, and possession of drug paraphernalia. She also had other arrest warrants from other agencies for operating after suspension and assault.
Potter, Taylor, and Simmons were taken to the Cumberland County Jail and are expected to appear in district court on Oct. 2.
Sherry Gilley, 38, Harpswell, Maine, was charged with violation of conditional release and hindering apprehension for allegedly attempting to remove Nathan Taylor from the scene to avoid arrest. She was summonsed and released from the scene.
Police say Taylor was the driver of the red Volkswagen, Potter and Simmons were occupants, while Gilley was in a separate vehicle.
Commander Martin Rinaldi of the Brunswick Police Department told NEWS CENTER Maine the other two occupants of the red Volkswagen are unknown and police are not looking for them.
More stories NEWS CENTER Maine is following:
