FARMINGTON — A New Sharon motorcyclist faces charges after police say they chased him at high speeds along several roads Saturday afternoon.

Chris Crockett, 52, was arrested on charges of eluding an officer, criminal speed, driving without a license and driving to endanger by Farmington Police Officer Darin Gilbert.

Crockett apologized for his behavior after police found him with the motorcycle hiding behind a truck at a house on George Thomas Road in New Sharon, Farmington police secretary Rachel Heseltine said Monday. He told police he panicked when Gilbert spotted him at 2:30 p.m. driving his white motorcycle on Lucy Knowles Road, she said.

At times, speeds reached 75 mph during the chase that continued onto Route 41, or Vienna Road, Cross Street, Route 156 and the unpaved George Thomas Road, Heseltine said.

Gilbert stopped pursuing the motorcycle due to safety concerns and met with Franklin County Sheriff Department’s Sgt. Steve Lowell and Deputy Matt Brann who came to assist, the secretary said. An off-duty Skowhegan officer reported seeing Crockett drive in to a driveway on the George Thomas Road and waited for the other officers.

Police found a leather jacket near the driveway, the motorcycle hidden behind a truck and Crockett, Heseltine said.

Crockett was released Saturday from Franklin County Detention Center on $300 cash bail.

abryant@sunjournal.com

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