AUGUSTA — A Bath man who is a suspect in Wednesday’s armed robbery at the Weathervane restaurant in Readfield made an initial court appearance Friday, but faced only charges of eluding an officer and violating conditions of release.

Lucas L. Creamer, 32, was arrested after his car crashed, ending a police chase along Route 17. He has not been charged with robbery, but police say he is the prime suspect.

In Augusta District Court Friday, he was not asked to answer to the two charges and his next court hearing was scheduled for 10 a.m. May 20.

Judge Susan Sparaco set bail at $25,000, as requested by the state, with conditions that ban Creamer from using alcohol and illegal drugs.

The robbery was reported at 7:51 p.m. Wednesday at the restaurant on Route 17.

According to a report by Kennebec County sheriff Capt. Dan Davies, a robber took a woman to the cash register area while intimidating others in the restaurant with a rifle before fleeing with an undisclosed amount of cash.

About 45 minutes later, a state trooper saw a vehicle resembling the getaway car at Mulligan’s restaurant and gas station in Manchester, and attempted to stop it, and the driver– later identified as Creamer — sped away, Davies said.

“We anticipate that additional charges will be forthcoming,” Acting District Attorney Alan Kelley said Friday.

He said Creamer would remain in jail because authorities in Cumberland and Sagadahoc counties have filed paperwork with the court seeking to revoke Creamer’s bail on pending charges there.

Although Creamer has not been officially identified by the witnesses as the robber, his physical description and other evidence match the robbery details, Davies said. Police are still investigating.

Betty Adams — 621-5631

badams@centralmaine.com