Bangor man arrested after late-night foot chase

BANGOR – A passenger in a car stopped for erratic driving in Bangor early Wednesday morning fled from police, but was arrested a short time later.

Twenty-eight-year-old David L. Nason of Bangor had been a passenger in a car driven by Donald Braley, 26, of Bangor, whom police stopped shortly after midnight on Walter Street.

Officer Steve Jordan reported that the car was speeding and made a wide turn and was driving in the middle of the road on Walter Street. Jordan reported he could see that the driver wasn’t wearing a seat belt.

Inside the car were three people, Braley and Nason in the front seats and a woman in the back. Nason initially identified himself as Dale Braley.

The police ran warrant checks on the three people. While awaiting the results from dispatch, Nason got out of the car and ran.

Officer Larry Morrill, who had been with Jordan, ran in pursuit and was joined by other officers who quickly cut off the man’s escape routes and narrowed down the area where he could be hiding. They kept him in the area near Walter and Main streets.

Sgt. Thomas Reagan began walking in the area, further closing the net, and flushing Nason out. Nason jumped up and began running, but was tackled on the sidewalk after repeatedly ignoring orders to stop, Reagan reported.

Meanwhile, the driver, Donald Braley, had given police Nason’s real name and authorities learned of three warrants issued for Nason’s arrest, including one on a burglary charge.

Morrill searched Nason and discovered a pocket knife, large screwdriver and two keys while a more extensive search of Nason at the Penobscot County Jail uncovered latex gloves and a mini-flashlight. Nason also was wearing black gloves and a dark jacket. What police and jail corrections officers found was enough for police to charge Nason with possession of burglar’s tools.

Police also found an unmarked prescription bottle on the hump in the front seat. The bottle reportedly contained pills of Amitriptyline and Paxil. Braley was charged with possession of scheduled drugs, although Braley claimed he had permission from his doctor to use them.