ST. GEORGE – A local man was arrested Saturday for filing a false report after he hit a tree with his car and then told police the vehicle had been stolen.

Kirk Schleicher, 39, of St. George called Knox County Communications Center at 6:55 p.m. Saturday to report that his 1990 Toyota sedan had been stolen, Maine State Police Trooper Terry Michaud said Sunday.

About 20 minutes before making the call, however, Schleicher’s vehicle was involved in an accident on Route 131, which caused $3,500 damage to the car.

Upon investigating the one-vehicle crash, Michaud arrested Schleicher for filing a false report, operating under the influence of intoxicants and operating after suspension.

Michaud made the arrest after talking with witnesses, who described a man similar to Schleicher and a dog being near the damaged car, and following the footprints and paw prints from the accident to Schleicher’s house, less than a mile away.