This image take from video shows a stolen Toyota Tacoma in the parking lot at Circle K in Waterville with a woman passed out in the front seat and a man behind it who police say injured an officer before escaping in the truck. The Tacoma was later found abandoned in Fairfield. Police think he is now driving a blue 2003 Ford F-250 pickup that was stolen in Fairfield. Police warn that the driver is dangerous and anyone seeing the vehicle is asked to call 911. Courtesy of Waterville Police Department

WATERVILLE — Police are seeking the public’s help in identifying a man who is driving a stolen truck and reportedly assaulted a police officer early Saturday, sending the officer to the hospital with a broken bone and a concussion.

This image taken from video shows a man police say injured an officer early Saturday before escaping in this stolen Toyota Tacoma, which was later found abandoned in Fairfield. Police think he is now driving a blue 2003 Ford F-250 pickup that was stolen in Fairfield. Police warn the driver is dangerous and anyone seeing the vehicle is asked to call 911. Courtesy of Waterville Police Department

Waterville police Chief William Bonney said Saturday in a news release that just after 3 a.m. Saturday, Officer Josh Medeiros found a silver Toyota Tacoma pickup truck reported stolen from Somerset County in the parking lot of Circle K on Kennedy Memorial Drive. A female passenger in the truck appeared to be sleeping or passed out, according to Bonney, and a male suspect was standing behind it.

“When Officer Medeiros contacted the male suspect, a fight ensued and the suspect assaulted Officer Medeiros multiple times before fleeing the scene in the stolen vehicle,” Bonney said. “Officer Medeiros was taken to the hospital with injuries which include a broken bone and concussion. He was treated and released.”

The truck was later found abandoned in Fairfield where another vehicle was stolen, a blue 2003 Ford F-250 pickup bearing Maine registration 1444ZF, according to Bonney.

A man police say injured an officer early Saturday is thought to be driving this blue 2003 Ford F-250 pickup that was stolen in Fairfield. Police warn the driver is dangerous and anyone seeing the vehicle is asked to call 911. Courtesy of Waterville Police Department

The person driving that truck is described as being 5 feet, 11 inches, to 6 feet tall and weighing about 220 pounds, with mid-length red hair. He was last seen wearing blue jeans, a black and white flannel top and a baseball hat, according to Bonney’s release. Anyone with information about the man or truck is asked to call the Waterville Police Department at 680-4700 and ask for the on-duty supervisor. Detective Daryl Gordon is investigating the case.

Bonney said anyone seeing the truck or man should not approach either, and instead call 911.

“Officer Medeiros put himself in danger, as do other officers around the country, daily, to help keep the community safe,” he said.

 

 

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