Deputies attacked after chase 20 officers involved in Harpswell melee, 2 receive minor injuries

HARPSWELL – Two deputies were nursing minor injuries after an incident in which they were taunted and then attacked after a car chase.

The incident began Sunday with a deputy giving chase to a Firebird whose occupants fled into the woods.

The occupants were joined by others who began taunting Deputy Joshua Potvin of the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Department.

Potvin, who was joined by two more deputies, went into the woods to make an arrest after a man threw a beer bottle at them.

“They pursued him into the woods and attempted to arrest him. They were jumped by four individuals. The person they were attempting to arrest was able to break loose and escape,” said Capt. Kevin Joyce.

Deputies Steve Gorham and Howard Brown suffered minor injuries. Eventually, 20 officers helped restore order.

Arrested were Justin Leeman, 18, of Harpswell, Walter Leeman, 26, of Brunswick, Daniel Leeman, 22, of Harpswell and Jerry Leeman, 19, of Harpswell. Deputies knew who threw the bottle and expected to charge him as well.

Each was charged with obstructing government administration and refusing to submit to an arrest.

Daniel Leeman also was charged with assault on a police officer and criminal mischief for allegedly kicking out a window of a patrol car.

Detective John Burne of the Sagadahoc County Sheriff’s Department, who answered the mutual-aid call along with Sgt. Peter Lamarre, praised the Cumberland County deputies.

“Those guys were showing a lot of restraint after already having been jumped,” he said.