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A Farmington man is facing a slew of charges after allegedly fleeing police from Embden to Starks and eventually crashing his car late Wednesday, police said.

Keith Crawford, 50, was being held Thursday at the Somerset County Jail in Madison on felony charges of eluding an officer and passing a roadblock, along with misdemeanor charges of domestic violence assault, operating under the influence, theft by unauthorized taking or transfer, driving to endanger, refusing to submit to arrest or detention and criminal speed, jail records show.

Felony crimes are punishable on conviction with prison terms of five years or more and fines of $5,000 or more depending on the nature of the crime.

Bail was set at $25,000, and if Crawford remains in custody, he would be expected to make an initial court appearance Friday in Skowhegan.

The pursuit began just after 11:30 p.m. on Eames Road in Embden, Chief Deputy Mike Mitchell of the Somerset County Sheriff’s Office said in a phone call Thursday morning.

Deputies were called to respond to a domestic disturbance, and Crawford fled the scene, Mitchell said.

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Deputy Kehl Chadwick pursued Crawford, who was driving a 2018 Jeep Wrangler, through Anson. The chase did not reach remarkably high speeds, Mitchell said.

Another deputy set a spike strip in Anson, near the bridge over the Kennebec River into Madison, Mitchell said. Crawford’s vehicle went over the mat and he continued driving.

His Jeep eventually crashed off the right side of Anson Road in Starks, Mitchell said, and he was arrested.

In all, the chase covered 11 miles and lasted about 15 minutes, Mitchell said.

Jake covers Skowhegan and Somerset County for the Morning Sentinel. He started reporting at the Morning Sentinel in November 2023. Jake grew up in Massachusetts and graduated from Tufts University. While...

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