PORTLAND – An Indian Island man, wanted by authorities for allegedly assaulting Indian Island Police Chief Seth Mitchell, was arrested on Saturday by Portland police while reportedly shoplifting.

Donald Francis, 50, fled on Oct. 10 from authorities who wanted to question him about the alleged assaults on the police chief and another man.

After being arrested on Saturday by Portland police who were aware of the arrest warrant and reportedly caught Francis shoplifting, the fugitive was taken to Cumberland County Jail. He was released after posting $1,500 bail.

Francis is scheduled to appear at 9:30 a.m. Friday, Nov. 12, at Penobscot County Superior Court to face charges of assault, disorderly conduct and violation of condition of release in regards to the Oct. 10 incident.

Francis also has a court date set for 8:30 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 23, at Cumberland County Superior Court for the theft and bail violation allegations that occurred in Portland over the weekend.

The Indian Island incident also will be referred to the Maine attorney general’s Hate Crime Division for review, according to the police report.

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