CLINTON, Maine — A Clinton man is facing several charges after attempting to elude police, which evolved into a standoff lasting several hours Thursday afternoon.
Maine State Police and Clinton police responded to what was described as a "critical incident" on East River Road in Clinton Thursday morning, state police spokesperson Katy England said in a release Thursday.
England said Clinton police were actively seeking Joshua Elliott, 40, of Clinton for felony warrants for theft and burglary out of Piscataquis County. Clinton police saw Elliott driving a dark-colored truck around 9:30 a.m. and attempted to stop him, but the vehicle failed to stop and attempted to elude the officer.
Police say the pursuit started in Clinton before the driver got on I-95 and went to Fairfield, exited, and came back to Clinton. England said the chase ended when Clinton and Fairfield police were able to deploy spike mats which incapacitated the vehicle on the East River Road in Clinton.
Elliott remained in his truck and was believed to be armed with a handgun. England noted police initially believed it to be a handgun, but later discovered it was a pellet gun.
England said during the standoff, Elliott said he wanted to be killed by police. Maine State Police Tactical Team and Crisis Negotiation Team responded.
Lt. Jason Madore of the Maine State Police said after several hours, Elliott surrendered peacefully to a state police tactical team and has been taken to Maine General for evaluation.
Madore said Elliott will be charged with eluding, failure to stop, criminal speed, operating after habitual offender status, possession of a firearm by a felon, and creating a police standoff.
England said state police, the Somerset County Sheriff’s Office, Kennebec County Sheriff’s Office, Maine Warden Service, Skowhegan Police Department, Winslow Police Department, and Fairfield Police Department assisted Clinton PD at the scene.
East River Road towards Skowhegan from Hinkley Road was closed during the standoff but has now reopened.