A Carmel man returned to his home late Sunday afternoon and discovered a burglar inside and one waiting outside as a lookout, he told authorities.

The surprised thieves fled, one speeding off in a car and the other apparently running into nearby woods.

The homeowner gave chase in his own vehicle, following the man about 15 miles into Hampden. The chase prompted several residents to call the Hampden Police Department and report two cars driving erratically.

Hampden Patrolman Scott Dakin stopped the vehicles at 5:50 p.m. traveling north on the town’s Main Road. Assisted by Sgt. Scott Webber, he took Zachariah Hamilton, 19, of Bangor into custody. Detective Bill Flagg of the Penobscot County Sheriff’s Department charged Hamilton with felony burglary. Hamilton was taken to the Penobscot County Jail and bail was set a $10,000.

Maine State Police assisted in the investigation and used a canine unit at the Carmel home, which is near the intersection of Route 2 and the Fuller Road. After two hours, the search was suspended when law officials determined the second man most likely had returned to Bangor. The Sheriff’s Department released an attempt-to-locate bulletin in connection with the burglary, saying it was looking for an 18-year-old, possibly in possession of a .357-caliber Magnum and another weapon.

Deputies said driver inattention was a contributing cause of an accident Sunday afternoon on Route 2 in Hermon that sent three people to the hospital.

Michael Chaloult, 19, of Hermon was being evaluated Sunday evening at Eastern Maine Medical Center in Bangor for head and chest injuries.

Authorities said a Chevrolet Malibu sedan Chaloult was driving collided head-on with a car traveling in the opposite direction.

Deputy Don Russell of the Penobscot County Sheriff’s Department said Chaloult was heading west when he attempted to pass a sport utility vehicle making a right turn.

While attempting the pass, Chaloult’s car collided with an eastbound Saturn driven by Eric Bean, 17, of Levant. Bean was treated for a minor injury at EMMC and released. The SUV was not damaged and its driver was uninjured.

Chaloult had to be extricated from his vehicle because its front section was enmeshed with the Saturn, according to Russell. A passenger in Chaloult’s car, Matthew LaCrosse, 19, of Carmel was treated at St. Joseph Hospital in Bangor and released.

Ambulances from Hermon, Carmel and Bangor responded. Also investigating was Deputy Thomas Burgess of the Penobscot County Sheriff’s Department.

– Compiled by NEWS reporter Nancy Garland