Suspect in custody after video recorded him appearing to steal a police vehicle amid gunfire

PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — A man in Maine stole a police cruiser on Monday before crashing, exchanging gunfire with police and stealing another police vehicle in a chase that created a chaotic scene in a mostly rural part of the state, police said.

Police said the man, who is unhoused, was being transported to a jail by Paris police when he was able to steal a police cruiser while handcuffed. He then crashed on Route 117 in Paris, about 50 miles (80.47 kilometers) north of Portland, police said.

Officers confronted the man and gunfire was exchanged, police said. The man was struck but fled the scene and stole an Oxford County Sheriff’s Office police vehicle, which he crashed up the road, police said. He was then taken into custody and faces numerous charges.

The man “was taken into custody and treated at a local hospital,” police said. It was unclear on Monday if the man had retained a lawyer.