JAY – Michael W. Gatcomb Jr., the 29-year-old Jay man who eluded a police manhunt Friday, was captured by a state tactical unit after an eight-hour standoff at a mobile home Sunday night.
Police filled the home with tear gas before entering about 9:30 p.m. and found Gatcomb hiding beneath the kitchen sink.
Before entering the home owned by Gatcomb’s sister, police tried to contact Gatcomb by using a bullhorn and calling his cellphone but he did not respond, Police Chief Larry White said.
White said tear gas was used because no one knew whether Gatcomb was armed. During the arrest, Gatcomb struggled to escape, but no one was injured, he said.
Police surrounded the home in the Pine Haven Trailer Park off Route 4 based on information given by a member of the public to the Franklin County Sheriff’s Department, but White said they couldn’t legally enter until a judge approved a search warrant.
On Friday afternoon, police saw Gatcomb riding in a pickup truckk driven by his sister on Route 133. The truck was pulled over because he was wanted on several warrants.
Gatcomb fled into the woods and evaded capture during a manhunt that continued into Friday night. Police called off the search late Friday.
Matt Hongoltz-Hetling – 861-9287
mhhetling@centralmaine.com
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