Man arrested after pepper spray incident in Rumford

RUMFORD, ME — A Rumford man was arrested Sunday evening after allegedly pepper spraying a woman and three children inside an apartment.

Donald “Harley” Wilson, 41, of Rumford, was taken into custody after police responded to 419 Cumberland Street at approximately 7:37 p.m. for a reported unknown problem.

The Oxford County Regional Communications Center advised responding units that callers were reporting people screaming and experiencing difficulty breathing at the location.

Dispatch further advised while units were en route that an adult male had allegedly pepper sprayed several individuals at the address.

Officers learned through interviews with multiple witnesses that Wilson had gone to an apartment at the location in search of another individual.

When he was unable to locate that person or obtain information regarding their whereabouts, Wilson became angry and discharged pepper spray inside the residence, according to police.

The chemical agent affected two families, including a 35-year-old woman and three children ages 16, 13, and 9.

All four were transported to Rumford Hospital for evaluation, decontamination, and treatment related to exposure to the chemical agent.

An infant child from a neighboring apartment was also evaluated on scene by emergency medical personnel as a precaution.

Wilson fled the scene prior to police arrival but was located a short time later by officers walking on Lincoln Avenue.

He was taken into custody without incident.

Wilson was charged with four counts of Criminal Use of Disabling Chemicals (Class D misdemeanor), four counts of Assault (Class D misdemeanor), and one count of Disorderly Conduct (Class E misdemeanor).

He was later released on bail.

Alcohol is believed to have been a contributing factor in this incident.

Rumford Police were assisted by MedCare Ambulance and Rumford Fire personnel.