Agencies Continue Their Search as Man Considered ‘Armed & Dangerous’ On The Loose in Maine

Several agencies from around the state of Maine are continuing their search of a fugitive who is on the loose and considered to be armed and dangerous, authorities say. Police had arrived at the house the suspect was reportedly staying in to arrest him on outstanding warrants when the incident took place.

According to The Kennebec Journal, 31-year-old Diego Martinez, was involved in an incident on Friday night when he drove a car through a garage door to escape officers who had surrounded the house he was staying in on Sabattus Street.

After he crashed the car through the garage door, he sped off leading police on a high-speed chase through multiple Maine towns. Police say that when Martinez fled in the vehicle, he was reaching speeds of 100+ miles per hour and he was driving the wrong way down Pine Street. Police were forced to call the chase off.

After the chase was called off, the Kennebec Journal reports that Martinez proceeded to crash that car on Washington Street, subsequently fleeing on foot. Later on that evening, the Androscoggin Sheriff's Department was involved in another police pursuit with a vehicle that crashed in the vicinity of Oxford Plains Speedway. Police have reason to believe that crash was also Martinez behind the wheel of a different car. The suspect at that crash fled on foot and police dogs were called in to search for him.

The KJ says that about half an hour after that, Martinez was back behind the wheel of a different car. Authorities say he was driving a Subaru and ended up crashing that into a porch in the town of Norway.

As of right now Martinez is still at large and police urge the public not to approach him if spotted, but to call the authorities.

The Kennebec Journal is reporting that Martinez has quite a criminal background including assault, evading police and weapons charges. Currently, Martinez is being sought on charges of possession of methamphetamine and illegal possession of a firearm, though more charges are likely forthcoming.

Officials say that Martinez is 5 feet, 6 inches tall, about 160 pounds with brown hair and hazel eyes. Anyone who sees him or knows where he might be should contact Maine State Police at 624-7076 or contact local police.