LEWISTON – Police arrested a local man early Monday after he allegedly smashed windows in an ex-girlfriend’s car and then led investigators on a chase.

Jeremiah Johnson, 23, of 23 Sargeant St. was arrested on several charges after losing control of his vehicle and smashing into a snowbank.

Police said the incident unfolded when a woman reported Johnson had been smashing windows from her vehicle and other cars belonging to her parents.

Late Sunday night, police Officer Ryan Guay parked near that family’s home and sat in darkness, waiting for Johnson to arrive.

Investigators said the suspect showed up shortly after 1 a.m. and immediately began smashing out car windows.

Guay captured the vandalism with a video camera but when he tried to arrest Johnson, the suspect jumped in his vehicle and fled, investigators said.

Guay followed Johnson’s vehicle for more than a mile heading toward the outskirts of the city. Police said Johnson refused to pull over and was driving erratically, nearly striking Guay’s vehicle.

About 1:30 a.m., Johnson crashed his vehicle on Stetson Road. He was arrested on charges of drunken driving, reckless conduct with a dangerous weapon, eluding a police officer and criminal mischief.

Police said Guay’s eyewitness account of the incident as well as footage captured with the video camera will be used as evidence against Johnson.

“Officer Guay did an excellent job. He worked with the victims and spoke with neighbors before staking out the area,” said police Lt. Michael McGonagle. “It was real good police work.”

Johnson was being held at the Androscoggin County Jail on $5,000 cash bail.

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