LEWISTON – A man who led police on a car chase through the downtown escaped capture after he skidded to a stop and fled on foot.

Police said the suspect drove a red van down Lisbon Street after failing to stop for a red light at Essex and Lisbon streets. Officer Eric Syphers caught up with the van near Sand Hill Road when the driver of the vehicle fled, driving in the wrong lane down Lisbon Street and crashing into a fire hydrant near Bilodeau Insurance.

The suspect then drove the wrong way onto Locust Street between Canal and Lisbon to Lincoln Street with police in pursuit with lights and sirens. The chase continued south onto Lincoln Street then onto River Road where it skidded to a stop in front of Grimmel Industries. The suspect fled into the wooded area behind the property.

Police tried to track the suspect and brought in a tracking dog. The matter was still under investigation with some leads about the identity of the driver of the minivan, Sgt. Michael Parshall said.