A South Portland man allegedly tried to steal a car late Monday afternoon as its owner was pumping gas.
Aaric Rowe, 38, has been charged with reckless conduct with a dangerous weapon, theft by unauthorized use of property and robbery, according to Brad Nadeau, a spokesperson for the Portland Police Department.
Rowe allegedly tried to steal the vehicle at the gas pumps in front of the Mobile gas station on Congress Street about 4:58 p.m.
The owner was pumping gas and jumped onto Rowe as he tried to drive away, Nadeau said Tuesday.
Rowe then crashed into nearby bushes, where the vehicle’s owner restrained him until police arrived to take Rowe into custody.
Rowe was denied entry into the Cumberland County Jail because of a preexisting medical issue and was instead admitted into Maine Medical Center.