FARMINGTON — An Illinois man is accused of attempting to strangle a woman at the Farmington Motel, obstructing the report of the crime and leading Franklin County and Androscoggin County law enforcement agencies on a pursuit that ended Monday in a crash in Auburn.
Farmington police arrested Cesar J. Vergara, 28, of Cicero, Illinois, after he was cleared from a Lewiston hospital, on a felony charge of domestic violence aggravated assault and obstructing the report of a crime. Vergara also faces charges from other agencies involved in the incident. He is being held at the Franklin County Detention Center without bail. He is expected to appear before a judge Wednesday to have bail set.
At about 11:47 a.m. Farmington police were called to the Farmington Motel at 489 Farmington Falls Road for a reported disturbance between a male and female.
Farmington police officer Ryan Rosie arrived on scene and was able to speak with the victim. Rosie advised dispatchers the male suspect had already fled the scene in a GMC SUV registered in Illinois, according to a statement from the Farmington Police Department.
Sgt. Brandon Sholan of the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office located the suspect’s vehicle on Wilton Road in Farmington and attempted to stop the SUV as it was already traveling in excess of 30 mph over the posted speed limit.
Rosie advised officers the “male was wanted at this time for aggravated domestic violence; specifically, strangulation, and preventing the report of a crime,” according to the release.
Farmington Sgt. Ethan Boyd joined Sholan as they continued through Farmington and turned onto state Route 133. The vehicle traveled through Wilton and then into Jay. Jay police set up on the town line as the vehicle continued and refused to stop. The vehicle went onto state Route 4 and over the bridge in Livermore Falls that crosses the Androscoggin River into Livermore.
The Androscoggin County Sheriff’s Office was then notified as the vehicle continued south on Route 4 into Turner.
As the chase continued, Androscoggin County deputies deployed tire deflation devices in an attempt to terminate the pursuit, however the suspect was able to avoid them. Another deputy was able to set up a tire deflation device on Center Street in Auburn and deployed it successfully. The suspect’s vehicle then left the roadway and struck a utility pole in what appeared to be an intentional act, according to the release.
The SUV sustained front-end damage from the crash and was towed from the scene.
The Farmington Police Department thanked all assisting agencies, including the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office, Jay Police Department, Androscoggin County Sheriff’s Office and the Auburn Police Department, in the release.
A conviction on the domestic violence charge carries a maximum 10 years in prison and up to a $20,000 fine. The charge of obstructing a report of a crime is punishable by up 364 days in prison and a maximum $2,000 fine.
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