A 21-year-old man who led deputies on a chase from Raymond to Otisfield before crashing his car into a country store is facing multiple charges, police said Thursday.
Police say the incident began just before 11 p.m. Wednesday, when a deputy from the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office responded to a complaint of a suspicious pickup truck at the Big Apple store at 1340 Roosevelt Trail in Raymond.
Deputies noticed signs of impairment when they began speaking to the truck’s driver, police said. The man, later identified as 21-year-old Zachary Mercier, sped away from the store, according to police.
Mercier led deputies on a pursuit that led to Otisfield. Maine State Police set up spike mats on Bolsters Mill Road in Otisfield, and the spikes punctured all four tires on Mercier’s truck, police said.
Police said Mercier continued at a high rate of speed, but was not able to make a 90-degree turn and drove through the front of the Bolsters Mill Country Store. The car came to rest in the middle of the store.
In a Facebook post, the store owners said the business would be closed for several days for repairs.
Mercier was not cooperative and was tased before he was taken into custody, police said. He was taken by ambulance to Stephens Memorial Hospital in Norway for minor injuries from the crash and possible drug-related issues, police said.
Mercier will be charged with failure to submit to arrest, criminal speed, eluding a police officer, operating after suspension and violation of condition of release. He also had two outstanding warrants.
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