WISCASSET, Maine — A Pittston man is facing multiple charges after damaging a Wiscasset police cruiser and putting it out of service on Monday, according to Chief Troy Cline.
Matthew Pelletier, 30, was charged with assault, refusing to submit to arrest and reckless conduct, all Class D crimes, and aggravated criminal mischief, a Class C crime.
The series of events leading to the arrest of Pelletier began shortly after 4 p.m. when Cline found a vehicle in a ditch at the intersection of Gardiner and Foye roads.
Police learned that Pelletier had been a passenger in the vehicle and had been arguing with a woman, and as she attempted to turn onto Gardiner Road toward Pittston, Pelletier grabbed the wheel, forcing the car into the ditch, Cline said. Neither Pelletier nor the woman were hurt.
Upon being requested for identification by Cline, Pelletier allegedly refused to cooperate even after being placed in handcuffs, attempting to head-butt the chief, but Cline managed to move his head out of the way and was only glanced by Pelletier. Cline eventually got Pelletier into a cruiser, but Pelletier allegedly became combative to the point where he kicked out a back window, putting the cruiser out of commission.
Cline called for backup, and Pelletier was placed into a Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office cruiser, which had a prisoner partition and window bars, the chief said.
Pelletier was taken to Two Bridges Regional Jail after his arrest.
