ELLSWORTH – A man suspected of stabbing a Maine State Police trooper was charged Thursday with aggravated assault, assault on an officer and reckless conduct at his initial appearance in Hancock County Superior Court.

Joshua Gray, 24, of Ellsworth reportedly used a pocketknife to stab Trooper Thomas Pickering on Tuesday night in Blue Hill.

Gray and another man were being questioned as burglary suspects when Gray fled on foot shortly after 5 p.m. Pickering followed and eventually tackled the man and arrested him. The trooper didn’t realize he had been stabbed until Gray was secured in the police cruiser, according to court documents. Police later found a knife near the scene.

Pickering’s 3-centimeter stab wound to the leg required three stitches. He was treated at Maine Coast Memorial Hospital in Ellsworth on Tuesday night and is expected to return to work today as scheduled, according to his supervisor, Lt. Christopher Coleman.

Gray, meanwhile, remained Thursday afternoon at Hancock County Jail unable to make bail, which was set at his initial court appearance at $5,000 cash or $10,000 surety.

His next court appearance is scheduled for April 18. Aggravated assault is a Class B felony punishable by up to 10 years in prison.

Charges have yet to be filed in connection with the burglary that Pickering initially had questioned Gray and another man about, but police said additional charges could follow.

This week was not the first time Gray tried to run away from police.

In February 2003, Gray crashed his vehicle on North Street in Ellsworth and fled the scene. He later was found at his home and arrested on charges of operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of intoxicants and operating after suspension.

erussell@bangordailynews.net

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