SANFORD – Police used nonlethal beanbags to subdue a Saco man accused of stabbing his former girlfriend, another woman and a police officer with a screwdriver.

Chris Gonyer, 30, who was left with welts from the beanbags, was taken to the District Court on Friday after being treated for his injuries at a hospital. He was charged with elevated aggravated assault, and could face additional charges.

A witness said the episode unfolded Thursday afternoon when Gonyer attacked his ex-girlfriend in a parking lot, stabbed her and dragged her away by her hair. A woman who tried to intervene also was stabbed, police said.

When Officer Mark Dyer arrived, he was stabbed in the chest and arm. His bulletproof vest prevented a chest wound, but he was treated for a 2-inch-deep puncture wound to one of his biceps, said Maj. Gordon Littlefield of the Sanford Police Department.

According to police, Dyer stepped back, drew his weapon and ordered Gonyer to drop his weapon. Gonyer told police to shoot, but then tried to flee when additional officers approached with a less lethal device, Littlefield said.

The women were treated and released. Gonyer’s former girlfriend had a wound to one of her legs and was believed to have suffered additional injuries; her friend suffered a superficial wound to her abdomen, Littlefield said.

In cases where deadly force is deployed, the Attorney General’s Office is called in to determine if the use of force was justified. That also applies to cases where nonlethal rounds are used.