FARMINGTON — A Farmington man was arrested Wednesday night after he allegedly refused to stop for police and fled into the woods, where officials eventually found him.

Christopher Tracy, 24, was charged with failing to stop for an officer, operating after suspension, driving to endanger and endangering the welfare of a child, according to a news release from Franklin County Sheriff Scott R. Nichols.

Franklin County dispatch received a call around 9:23 p.m. about a vehicle that was being driven erratically on Fairbanks Road in Farmington. When the report came in, Deputy Derek Doucette happened to be driving on Fairbanks Road and saw the suspect’s vehicle pass by.

Doucette followed the vehicle and turned on his lights, trying to make the driver stop. Tracy allegedly ignored the deputy and continued driving until he suddenly turned the vehicle into a driveway at such a high rate of speed that it caused one of the vehicle’s tires to come off its rim.

As Doucette pulled into the driveway behind the vehicle, Tracy got out of the car and fled into the woods, ignoring Doucette’s command for him to stop, the release said.

Tracy’s wife and child were both passengers in the vehicle.

Lt. David Rackliffe arrived at the scene with Justice, a police dog, which tracked and eventually located Tracy in the woods, where he was arrested. Then he was taken to jail.

Emily Higginbotham — 861-9239

ehigginbotham@centralmaine.com

Twitter: EmilyHigg