CHESTERVILLE, Maine — A man who escaped a prisoner transport van and led police from multiple agencies on a pursuit in a stolen vehicle is facing a long list of charges, according to the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office.
The series of events began shortly before 10 a.m. Tuesday when Derek Cook, 31, of Wilton tried to escape a prisoner van as it was going through Wilton, according to Sheriff Scott Nichols.
Cook and two other inmates were being taken from the Androscoggin County Jail to the Franklin County Jail. Nichols said Cook had recently been arrested on a probation hold.
Cook had slipped one of his handcuffs off and tried to manipulate the side door of the van with the open handcuff ratchet, in spite of having leg irons and a belly band and chain on, according to Nichols. Cook managed to get the door open as Deputy Phil Richards, who was driving the van, noticed the activity.
Upon learning of Cook’s threat to jump, Richards stopped the van, and Cook ran into the woods when confronted by the deputy, Nichols said. A fight ensued in the nearby woods, but Richards managed to get Cook back to the vehicle. However, Cook knocked Richards to the ground and then fled down the road.
The escaped prisoner ran to a residence on Route 133, with the leg irons still on, and forced his way inside by kicking a door open, Nichols said. A female resident was assaulted when she tried to call police, and she was forced to give her Jeep’s keys to Cook, who fled in the vehicle.
As Cook left the driveway, he was spotted by Wilton Police Officer Gary Allen and Sgt. Ed Hastings, who were en route to assist Richards. Cook fled down Route 133 toward Farmington, with Allen in pursuit.
State police, Farmington police and Franklin County deputies eventually joined the chase, which ended in Chesterville when Cook lost control of the Jeep and struck a tree. State police then took him into custody.
Cook is facing a long list of charges, including assault on a police officer, escape, strong-armed robbery, robbery, burglary, assault, obstructing the report of a crime, theft, eluding, criminal speeding, driving to endanger, reckless conduct and operating after suspension.
Richards was taken to Franklin Memorial Hospital for treatment of his injuries. Cook was also taken there for evaluation. Neither man’s injuries were considered life-threatening, Nichols said.
