An attempted traffic stop on I-295 in Topsham on Sunday escalated into a high-speed pursuit and a domestic violence investigation targeting a Bowdoinham man who allegedly forced a woman into his vehicle and continued to evade police for 24 hours.
Maine State Police say that at about 8:22 a.m. on Sunday, a trooper observed a red 2004 Nissan Altima merging onto I-295 northbound at mile marker 31 in Topsham at a high rate of speed.
The trooper caught up with the vehicle near mile marker 36 in Bowdoinham, where he activated his lights and siren in an attempt to stop the vehicle.
The vehicle reportedly failed to stop and instead accelerated.
Police say the trooper was able to identify the registration and observed two occupants inside.
The vehicle, which continued to travel at a high rate of speed after exiting I-295 at miler marker 37 northbound in Bowdoinham, was pursued for about 2.5 miles before the trooper terminated the chase due to public safety concerns in the residential area off the highway.
According to police, a short time later, the Sagadahoc County Sheriff’s Office informed the State Police that Topsham Police had received a report of a domestic violence incident involving the same suspect vehicle.
A witness reported to police that the male driver assaulted a female passenger and forced her back into the vehicle in the Hannaford parking lot in Topsham before fleeing the area.
The vehicle was later located at a residence on Carding Machine Road in Bowdoinham.
Sagadahoc Deputies attempted to make contact with the male driver, identified as 44-year-old Joseph Cloutier of Bowdoinham, but he fled on foot into a wooded area sparking a K9-track and deployment of a Maine Forest Service Helicopter.
The female alleged victim was located by police and is safe.
An arrest warrant on multiple counts was issued for Cloutier, including for domestic violence assault, criminal speed, failure to stop, violating conditions of release, and operating after suspension. According to the Sagadahoc County Sheriff, he was apprehended in Bowdoinham at 10:30 a.m. on Monday.
