Maine Officers and K-9 Sprayed with Bear Repellent During Arrest

A Lewiston man is behind bars after police say he carried out a bizarre and violent series of events in Oxford, leaving an innocent resident, two officers, and a police dog injured.

According to WGME 13, authorities say it all began early Wednesday morning on King Street. A man was outside in his driveway, getting ready to head to work, when, without warning, he was attacked.

Police say the suspect, later identified as 45-year-old Matthew Martin of Lewiston, came up and assaulted him before running off. Investigators note the victim had never seen Martin before and that the two men had no connection, making the attack completely random, the news station reported.

Officers immediately responded to the scene, joined by K-9 Koda, to search the neighborhood. Not long after, they spotted Martin nearby. WGME said said he appeared visibly intoxicated and agitated. As they moved closer, Martin reportedly lifted his shirt and revealed a canister of bear spray which is a powerful irritant designed to stop charging animals.

According to police, when officers attempted to take him into custody, Martin resisted. In the struggle that followed, he sprayed the officers directly in the face with the bear deterrent, hitting both them and Koda.

Bear spray can cause severe burning of the eyes, skin, and lungs, and is considered especially dangerous when used on people. Despite being temporarily blinded, officers were able to subdue Martin after a tense confrontation.

Martin was arrested and transported to the Oxford County Jail, where he faces a long list of charges. WGME said that those charges include assault, assault on law enforcement, criminal trespass, refusing to submit to arrest, disorderly conduct, unlawful interference with a law enforcement dog, and criminal use of disabling chemicals.

Police say the victim from the driveway assault did not suffer serious injuries, and the officers and Koda are expected to recover from the effects of the spray.