SANFORD — Police here say they’re following up on tips in their search for Christopher William Gonyer, 40, whose probation for stabbing the mother of his children and a Sanford police officer with a screwdriver back in 2006 has been revoked. Gonyer allegedly fled from the office of his probation officer in Biddeford on Nov. 4 and hasn’t been seen since, say Sanford Police.

“Gonyer’s probation has been revoked and he is currently wanted for arrest and is considered dangerous,” said Det. Sgt. Matthew Jones in a news release issued Monday. “Gonyer has ties to Sanford and Old Orchard Beach as well as Haverhill, Massachusetts, and Sandwich, New Hampshire.”

Sanford Police Det. Eric Small this morning said since police spread the word people have been calling in tips. Police issued a news release late morning on Monday and the information quickly appeared on news sites and on social media.

“I’d like to think we’ll find him within the next couple of days,” said Small.

In 2006, Gonyer pleaded guilty to punching his former girlfriend in the stomach and then stabbing her, her friend and a Sanford police officer with a screwdriver. He was sentenced to spend four years and nine months of an eight-year sentence in prison.

Anyone with information as to Gonyer’s whereabouts is asked to call Small at 324-9170, ext. 227. After regular business hours, folks are asked to call Sanford Police Department at 324-3644. As well, people may leave an anonymous tip by texting keyword SANFORD to CRIMES (274637) followed by the information, or submit a tip online at: tipsubmit.com

Sanford Police used nonlethal bean-bag rounds to subdue Gonyer on March 30, 2006 after he fled the mid-day scene and they chased him through downtown neighborhoods.

During his sentencing in August 2006, Assistant District Attorney Justina McGettigan told the judge that Gonyer threatened to use the screwdriver to harm his former girlfriend. While a neighbor attempted to intervene before police arrived on the scene, Gonyer carried out his threat.

“A neighbor approached him with a baseball bat to get him to release her but Gonyer said, ‘Go ahead, I’ll stab her,’” McGettigan told the court.

The assistant district attorney said Gonyer had his former girlfriend down on a porch and was dragging her when a friend also tried to intervene. McGettigan said Gonyer cut his former girlfriend with the screwdriver across the throat and continued to drag her along the porch. As the fracas continued, the friend was also stabbed with the screwdriver.

When Sanford Police Officer Mark Dyer arrived, he jumped over the porch to try and prevent any further assault and Gonyer drove a screwdriver into Dyer’s chest. The police officer was wearing a protective vest, and the screwdriver was deflected. Then Gonyer stabbed Dyer in the upper arm.

Two other police officers arrived on the scene, he ran, and officers pursued him, using the bean-bag rounds to subdue the man.

— Senior Staff Writer Tammy Wells can be contacted at 324-4444 (local call in Sanford) or 282-1535, ext. 327 or twells@journaltribune.com.

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