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A Bowdoinham man is on the run after he allegedly led police on a high-speed chase and then assaulted and forced a woman into his car.
Joseph Cloutier, 44, is wanted on charges of domestic violence assault, criminal speeding, failure to stop, violating conditions of release and operating after suspension, according to Shannon Moss, a spokesperson for the Maine Department of Public Safety.
Cloutier was allegedly speeding in a red 2024 Nissan Altima north on Interstate 295, near mile marker 36, in Bowdoinham about 8:22 a.m. Sunday when a state trooper tried to stop him, Moss said early Monday morning.
Cloutier left the interstate at exit 37, leading the trooper on a high-speed chase onto Post Road, Cemetery Road and then Ridge Road, where the trooper stopped the pursuit as Cloutier entered a residential area, according to Moss.
He was later spotted in the parking lot of the Topsham Hannaford, where Cloutier allegedly assaulted his female passenger before forcing her back into the Nissan.
Police tracked the Nissan to a Carding Machine Road residence in Bowdoinham, where Cloutier then fled into the woods.
The victim was found at the residence, too, and Moss said Monday that she is safe.
Police dogs and a Maine Forest Service helicopter were used to search for Cloutier, who remained at large Monday morning.
Anyone with information about his whereabouts can call the Maine State Police at 207-624-7076.
No additional information was immediately released.
