SCARBOROUGH – Shoppers at the Christmas Tree Shops store in Scarborough got a surprise Wednesday night when the store was surrounded by police cruisers.

State police trooper Matthew Williams said state and Scarborough police arrested Joseph McManus, 30, of North Anson after McManus led him on a foot chase that had both men splashing through a stream.

“He was soaked when he came out of the store,” Williams said.

The chase began around 5:45 p.m. near Exit 44 of Interstate 295. Williams said he was conducting a seat belt detail when he motioned McManus to pull over.

McManus complied, but then abandoned his car, running off and leading Williams to the store on Payne Road.

McManus went inside the store — Williams said the store was packed with shoppers — where he spent about five minutes.

When McManus came out of the store, he was arrested.

McManus was held in the Cumberland County Jail on Wednesday night on several warrants, and charges that include refusing to submit to arrest and driving while being a habitual offender. 

Staff Writer Dennis Hoey can be contacted at 791-6365 or at: dhoey@pressherald.com