Maine man leads police on chase to N.H., back

Kevin Fortin (Courtesy photo)

NEWFIELD, Maine - A Newfield man will be arraigned later today after he ran a York County Sheriff's Office deputy off the road and led lawmen from Maine and New Hampshire on a chase that crossed into New Hampshire before ending back in Maine near his home Wednesday night.

Kevin Fortin, 29, of Demeritt Road, was charged with eluding a police officer and aggravated reckless conduct. Both charges carry a bail of $5,000 cash.

Fortin will make his initial appearance in Springvale District Court today and has an initial Superior Court date next month.

Fortin is also facing criminal charges in New Hampshire as a result of his entry into Wakefield.

The incident began around 8:15 p.m. when YCSO deputies were summoned to a residence on Demeritt Road in West Newfield. The caller related that Fortin was causing a disturbance and threatening to harm himself with a pellet gun and had locked himself in a bathroom.

Before deputies arrived, Fortin fled the residence threatening to harm anybody who came to assist him. He told the caller that he had weapons and would use them against law enforcement. As Deputy Heath Mains responded toward the residence Fortin drove his vehicle toward the deputy's vehicle, forcing the deputy onto the shoulder before continuing toward Wakefield.

New Hampshire authorities located the vehicle and attempted to stop Fortin but he refused, according to a YCSO press release. Fortin then led Wakefield Police and New Hampshire State Troopers on a chase in Wakefield.

Fortin then returned to Newfield where York County deputies joined the chase.

As Fortin approached his residence, he ran over spike mats that deputies deployed in anticipation of his route. Once stopped, he was physically combative and refused to submit to an arrest forcing deputies to taser him.

After being examined by medical personnel, Fortin was transported to the York County Jail.

A New Hampshire State Trooper injured during the incident when he stepped on a spike mat was treated and released by Newfield Rescue personnel.