ROCKLAND — Police arrested a 36-year-old transient man early Tuesday morning following a vehicle pursuit that began with a traffic stop for defective equipment.
Officers stopped the vehicle just after midnight Monday for the equipment violation and identified several additional traffic violations, including the operator driving with a suspended license.
After officers observed and recovered a baggie containing narcotics from the operator, the driver disobeyed commands to exit the vehicle and fled at a high rate of speed.
During the escape attempt, the suspect vehicle was driven through a closed gate at a nearby recycling center just over the town line in Thomaston.
Officers detained one passenger while the driver and another passenger fled on foot.
A canine track successfully located clothing discarded by the operator but was unable to locate the suspects.
Shortly before 5 a.m. Tuesday, police located and arrested the operator, identified as Jamie Nickerson.
Nickerson was charged with felony eluding, possession of fentanyl, refusing to submit to arrest or detention, criminal mischief and several motor vehicle violations.
Within a few hours, Nickerson was released from the Knox County Jail by the bail commissioner on unsecured bail.
The passenger who fled was identified and found to be out on multiple sets of bail conditions.
