An apparently intoxicated Lewiston man allegedly attacked Oxford police officers and a K-9 unit with bear spray on Wednesday morning after he had allegedly attacked another man who was leaving home for work.
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Oxford Police responded to the home on King Street on Wednesday morning where a local man reported that he had been assaulted while trying to begin his work-day.
According to the victim, the suspect, later identified as Matthew Martin, 45, of Lewiston, was sitting in a chair at the end of his driveway when the victim left the house in the morning.
Martin allegedly attacked the victim before fleeing.
Police were able to track Martin to a nearby home, where they found him standing behind a parked vehicle.
According to officers, Martin was “obviously intoxicated and agitated” when they arrived.
When officers approached Martin, he allegedly pulled up his shirt to reveal a large can of bear spray and continued walking toward the officers.
Police deployed tasers, but only one contact from one of the taser shots hit Martin, rendering them ineffective. A struggle ensued, during which the police deployed K-9 Koda.
In response, Martin reportedly used the bear spray on the officers and the dog. Despite the spray, Koda was able to subdue Martin, and officers took him into custody.
Martin was transported for treatment to Stephens Memorial Hospital before being taken to the Oxford County Jail.
He faces charges of assault, two counts of assault on law enforcement, criminal trespass, refusing to submit to arrest, disorderly conduct, unlawful interference with a law enforcement dog, and criminal use of disabling chemicals.
