SCARBOROUGH, Maine — A Rumford man is in custody after allegedly hitting several vehicles and leading police on a pursuit in the Scarborough area Saturday afternoon.
Just before 4:30 p.m., the Scarborough Emergency Communications Center received a report of a hit-and-run crash on Gorham Road, also called Route 114, near Mussey Road, according to a news release from the Scarborough Police Department.
Officers found the suspect's vehicle traveling at a high rate of speed through the intersection of Gorham Road and Route 1, but were unable to stop the vehicle.
The vehicle then "appeared to begin intentionally trying to strike vehicles on Black Point Road," struck a vehicle in the area of Highland Avenue, a bicyclist, and another vehicle before stopping, police said. The vehicle caught fire after it came to rest, and the flames spread to a telephone pole and nearby brush. The fire was extinguished by Scarborough firefighters.
Police identified the driver of the suspect vehicle as 63-year-old Lyndon Leonard of Rumford and said he allegedly resisted arrest and assaulted officers before he was taken into custody.
Leonard faces the following charges:
- Five counts of aggravated assault
- Two counts of aggravated criminal mischief
- Aggravated eluding an officer
- Operating under the influence with injury
- Aggravated driving to endanger
- Criminal mischief
- Three counts of violating conditions of release
- Criminal speed
- Refusing to submit to arrest or detention
- Assault
- Leaving the scene of a motor vehicle crash
- Failing to provide correct name and date of birth
- Operating without a license
The bicyclist that was hit was brought to Maine Medical Center with minor injuries, police said. All vehicle occupants were reportedly uninjured.
Those with information regarding the incident are asked to contact Scarborough Police Department Officer Bailey Anastasoff at 207-730-4336.