FRYEBURG, Maine — Deputies with the Oxford County Sheriff's Office responded to a report of an intoxicated man "armed with an AR-15 and handgun that had been shooting and was having a confrontation with the complainant and trying to gain entry to the home" in the area of Haley Town Road, a news release from the sheriff's office.
Deputies arrived at the scene just after Fryeburg police reportedly confronted the suspect and sprayed him with pepper spray because of him being "non-compliant" and charging at officers, according to the release.
Deputies assisted the officer in securing the suspect, who they described as being "extremely combative" at this point, the release said.
"While trying to get the male into the Fryeburg police cruiser, a deputy was kicked several times by the male," the release stated. "Fryeburg Rescue was called to decontaminate the subject, but the subject was so hostile and confrontational that rescue personnel could not safely check him, and they cleared the scene."
After being medically cleared at a nearby hospital, the man, who has been identified as 39-year-old Craig Leighton, was taken by police to the Oxford County Jail.
Leighton has been charged with multiple misdemeanor crimes, including assault on police officers, according to the release.
"Officers involved in the arrest were medically evaluated and cleared," the release said.