A Brunswick man was arrested Wednesday on domestic violence charges after assaulting a woman in her car on Interstate 295 in South Portland.

Maine State Police said Derek Zimmerman, 53, assaulted the woman in her car while she was traveling north about 8 p.m. Wednesday. Zimmerman then attempted to take the woman’s purse and cellphone before fleeing on foot across four lanes of traffic and into nearby woods. Zimmerman was tracked down at a South Portland motel by officials who used a dog from South Portland police.

Zimmerman is charged with domestic violence assault and obstructing the report of a crime. He was taken to the Cumberland County Jail.

His victim suffered a bloody nose, but did not require medical attention.

Zimmerman was treated and released from Maine Medical Center for injuries sustained from running through the woods.


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