Police say a 35-year-old Mexico man faces charges after stealing a chainsaw from a Rumford store and threatening to spray a chemical on employees who tried to stop him.
Officers says witnesses positively identified Bryan Festus Wood as the person who stole a Husqvarna chainsaw from the Rumford Tractor Supply Store. Police say when Wood was confronted by store employees, he threatened to spray them with what was believed to be a chemical agent.
They say a good Samaritan intervened to assist the store employees, which led to Wood fleeing the scene on foot. No one was injured during the confrontation, which took place last Friday.
Police say they finally spotted Wood walking along Route 2 on Falls Hill Wednesday morning and took him into custody without incident before he had the opportunity to flee again.
Officers are bringing charges of Class B Robbery against Wood, a felony under Maine law. He was taken to the Oxford County Jail.
Rumford Police say Wood is well known to police throughout the state with an extensive criminal history, including prior convictions for theft and violation of conditions of release as well as other offenses.
They say his arrest brings a level of relief and reassurance to the community. Officers referred to Woon as a “known menace” who has demonstrated a disregard for the safety of others.
