JAY — Fugitive Michael Gatcomb remained on the loose Saturday, and police believe he may be hiding with the help of friends.

Police have been searching for the 29-year-old since Friday afternoon when he fled into the woods to evade capture.

After searching throughout the night, police believed Gatcomb may have called for help.

“We believe he’s still in the Jay area and that he’s being assisted by people known to him,” Jay police Chief Larry White Sr. said Saturday afternoon. “In other words, they’re harboring him.”

Several agencies, including Maine State Police and the U.S. Border Patrol, were involved in the search for Gatcomb, who is wanted on several charges and is considered possibly armed and dangerous.

Gatcomb, who has a long criminal history in the area, is wanted in Franklin County on charges of domestic assault and violating conditions of release. He also is wanted on charges in Kennebec County.

At about 3 p.m. Friday, investigators said, Wilton police Sgt. Chad Abbott spotted Gatcomb riding in the passenger seat of a pickup truck traveling along Route 133. With the help of Jay police Sgt. Troy Young, Abbott stopped the truck near Bean’s Corner, police said.

As soon as the truck was stopped, police said Gatcomb jumped out, ran across a field and disappeared into the woods. He had remained on the loose since.

Chief White encouraged anyone who knows where Gatcomb is hiding to come forward.

“We will prosecute anyone found to be harboring him,” the chief said.

Anyone with information about his whereabouts is asked to call the Jay Police Department at 897-6766.