INDIAN ISLAND – Police Chief Seth Mitchell allegedly was assaulted last weekend while trying to break up an altercation outside the former Olamon Industries Building.

Police still are trying to locate the suspect, Donald Francis, 50, of Indian Island, who reportedly fled into the woods during Sunday’s incident.

Police have requested a warrant for Francis’ arrest on three charges: assault, disorderly conduct and violation of condition of release. The suspect was not in custody Wednesday, according to a Penobscot County Jail official.

On Sunday evening, Mitchell came out of the Olamon building and saw Francis punch a man in the face, according to the police report. Francis reportedly pushed Mitchell, but the police chief avoided being punched while trying to separate the two men.

The alleged victim said Francis also called him “white trash” before punching him in the face, which is grounds to consider the case a hate crime.

Once all statements and reports are completed, the case will be sent to the Maine Attorney General’s Hate Crime Division for review, according to the police report.

Mitchell called for backup after Francis ran into the woods behind the building towards his residence on Olamon Lane.

Police visited several residences on the island looking for Francis, but their attempts to locate him were unsuccessful. The report states that Francis may have fled the state.