BUCKFIELD — A 23-year-old man charged with trying to outrun a police officer remained in jail Tuesday after his initial court appearance.

Joshua Leavitt Morin of Buckfield Road in Paris was charged with eluding an officer, aggravated operating after habitual offender revocation, violation of conditions of release, driving to endanger and failure to stop for an officer.

Deputy Danielle Welch of the Oxford County Sheriff’s Office stated in a report that she came across Morin’s vehicle around 2:19 a.m. while trying to locate suspects in a Sumner burglary on Damon Road. She said a go-kart was driving near Morin’s vehicle, but turned off on a side street.

Welch said Morin drove about 5 miles down Brock School Road at about 50 mph, and fled the car after skidding on a curve. Morin was later found in the woods by Trooper Tyler Stevenson of the Maine State Police and his K-9 unit Ramos after Welch called him and Oxford County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Tim Ontengco to assist.

In South Paris District Court on Tuesday, Assistant District Attorney Joseph O’Connor asked for $5,000 cash or $20,000 surety bail. O’Connor said Morin had previously been arrested for threatening a man with a knife and had created a danger to the public with the chase.

Defense lawyer Sarah Glynn asked that Morin be given unsecured bail or a pretrial services contract.

Judge Paul Cote set bail at $2,000 cash or $10,000 surety bail. He also allowed Morin to be screened for a pretrial contract, but said it would have to be reviewed by the District Attorney’s Office and the court.

mlangeveld@sunjournal.com