TOPSHAM

Topsham police arrested a Topsham man after he allegedly led them on a chase through town Sunday evening.

Patrick Austin, 22, of Topsham was charged with eluding an officer, driving to endanger and operating under the influence.

According to Topsham Police Sgt. Robert Ramsay, state police received several complaints about Austin’s driving while he was traveling north on Interstate 295 Sunday night. One complainant got the license plate, which let state police know the driver lived in Topsham. State police alerted Topsham police just before 7:30 p.m. to be on the lookout for the Toyota Prius with agriculture license plates. Austin was reportedly driving at speeds in excess of 100 miles per hour.

According to Ramsay, Sgt. Mark Gilliam and officer Cheryl Holmes spotted the vehicle on the Lewiston Road heading toward the Route 196 Bypass and, upon trying to pull over the driver, the car continued onto the bypass with Holmes in pursuit.

Austin was allegedly passing vehicles on the right in the break down lane before continuing onto Bypass Drive and Middlesex Road, then driving through the Rusty’s Market parking lot.

Police said Austin drove then drove back out onto Tedford Road, failed to stop at the stop sign and began driving north on Middlesex Road.

Gilliam took over the chase at this point and was able to maneuver his cruiser in such away the driver came to a stop with no damage to the cruiser or Toyota. Austin was taken out of the cruiser at gun point. He was later released on bail and has a court date in West Bath District Court.