Two men were arrested on charges relating to drug possession and evading arrest early Friday morning after leading police on a short chase from Madison to Skowhegan, police said.

Cpl. David Cole, of the Somerset County Sheriff’s Office, first attempted to stop a 2010 Chevy Cobalt, which was heading north on East Madison Road, about 6:30 a.m. about 1 mile from the Somerset County jail, according to a statement from Sheriff Dale Lancaster.

The driver, later identified as Justin Morton, 30, of Canaan, refused to stop and continued driving until he reached the jail, according to Lancaster. The passenger, Mark Harris, then got out of the vehicle and Morton turned the Cobalt around and began heading south on East Madison Road, Lancaster said.

Officers detained Harris, 44, of Palmyra, for two active Penobscot County warrants relating to a domestic violence case.

Officers continued to pursue Morton until he reached the VIP Tires & Service store in Skowhegan, where he abandoned the vehicle behind the store and fled on foot, traveling through a stream behind Giffords Ice Cream Stand, according to Lancaster’s statement. A police dog, Kojo, tracked Morton to that location, where he was apprehended without incident. He was taken to Redington Fairview General Hospital and treated for exposure.

Morton then was taken to the county jail and charged with class D operating after being named a habitual offender, class E failure to stop for a police officer and class E refusing to submit to arrest. His bail was set at $500.

A search of Harris yielded needles, drug paraphernalia, heroin, fentanyl, pills and Suboxone. He was charged with two counts of class D possession of schedule W drugs and class E violating conditions of release. Harris may receive additional charges once his case is reviewed by the Somerset County District Attorney’s office. He is being held at the county jail without bail.

Morton and Harris are scheduled to appear May 9 before a judge at the Somerset County Unified Court.

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