LIVERMORE FALLS – When a vehicle passed police officer Maurice Drouin, who was parked on Main Street Wednesday afternoon, he noticed that the driver was on the state’s list of drivers with suspended licenses.

Drouin said he pulled out behind the vehicle, called dispatch to confirm that the driver’s license of Joshua Pollis, 21, of East Livermore, was suspended and turned on his lights and siren.

Pollis sped off and took a right onto Bridge Street, which is Route 4, and passed two or three vehicles on the right in the breakdown lane, Drouin said.

He then pulled back onto the road and straddled the center line, passing cars, and when they reached the other side of the bridge, Pollis passed another car on the right before he took a left onto River Road in Livermore, the officer said.

Drouin said he called dispatch to get assistance.

With snow falling steadily, the officer said Pollis still refused to stop. Pollis’ speed reached more than 70 mph, Drouin said. The officer backed off his own speed earlier, he said, citing road conditions, but continued to follow the vehicle.

When Drouin came around a corner he saw that Pollis’ vehicle had crashed on the side of the road. Pollis had gotten out of the car and fled on foot, Drouin said.

Drouin said he went to Pollis’ vehicle, which was still in gear. He put it in park and took the keys before giving chase into the woods.

He followed Pollis’ foot tracks for a mile to a mile-and-a-half and came back to River Road where he took Pollis into custody with no resistance.

Jay police Chief Larry White Sr. and Jay Detective Richard Caton IV came to help Drouin because Maine State Police Trooper Nate Jamo was too far away to get there in time. State police are patrolling Livermore this week.

Drouin arrested Pollis on charges of driving to endanger, operating after suspension, failing to stop for an officer and operating with a suspended registration. Pollis also had four active warrants out of Oxford County for failing to appear and unpaid fines, Drouin said.

Pollis, booked at the Livermore Falls police station, was released on $650 bail and is scheduled to appear on June 13 at 8th District Court in Lewiston.