WATERVILLE — Waterville police chased and arrested three men on city streets Wednesday in two separate incidents.

A Waterville man arrested on three drug trafficking charges near Gilman and Pleasant streets was also wanted on eight outstanding warrants.

In the other incident, two other men were arrested after they allegedly stole a computer from Walmart. Bystanders chased and caught one man and the other was captured by police.

Nathan Liberty, 36, of 46 Silver St., Waterville, was arrested three counts of aggravated trafficking in heroin and crack cocaine and on eight outstanding warrants for failing to pay fines totaling $6,365 for a variety of charges including assault, failing to stop for an officer, theft, refusing to submit to arrest and detention and possession of drugs, according to Deputy Chief Charles Rumsey of the Waterville Police Department.

The heroin and crack cocaine charges, all class A felonies, were a result of a two-month investigation by police into alleged drug trafficking at Liberty’s apartment, Rumsey said.

The charges were elevated to aggravated because Liberty lives within 600 feet of Sherwin Street Park, according to Rumsey.

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Police on Wednesday watched Liberty’s apartment, saw him leave on a bicycle and tried to stop him on Elm Street but he fled several blocks to Winter and Pleasant streets, Rumsey said.

Office Steve Brame apprehended Liberty near Gilman Street and he was arrested at 9:07 a.m., he said.

Liberty’s bail was set at more than $51,000 cash for all the charges, Rumsey said. He is scheduled to appear in Kennebec County Superior Court Dec. 3.

In the other incident, two men were arrested and charged with class C felony theft after they allegedly stole a computer valued at $448 from Walmart around noon and fled, Rumsey said.

Jacob York, 22, of 33 Cushman Road, Winslow, was caught by three bystanders who witnessed the incident, chased him and held him behind nearby Kmart until police arrived, Rumsey said.

Bradley Dickey, 28, of 12 Gold St., Waterville, ran into the woods behind Elm Plaza Comfort Inn and Officer Brame apprehended him, Rumsey said. Several other police officers had responded to the scene, he said.

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The computer was recovered in the woods, Rumsey said.

In addition to the theft charge, York was charged with two counts of violating a condition of release because he was on bail at the time of his arrest, Rumsey said. York’s probation officer put a hold on him, so he was not able to post bail, Rumsey said. The theft was elevated to a felony because York has prior theft convictions, he said.

Dickey, who also has prior theft convictions, was expected to be released on bail from the police station Wednesday afternoon, Rumsey said.

Both Dickey and York are scheduled to appear in Kennebec County District Court Nov. 2.

Amy Calder — 861-9247
acalder@centralmaine.com


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