An Embden man has been charged after police say he assaulted three people at a convenience store, fled from police on a snowmobile and then took off on foot after his snowmobile sank in the Kennebec River.

Brandon Raymond Grant, 34, of Embden, is charged with refusing to submit to arrest or detention and three counts of assault, according to police.

Somerset County Chief Deputy Michael Mitchell said Wednesday that deputies had been dispatched to Griswold’s Country Store in Solon after reports of “a ruckus that took place” resulting in three people being assaulted by Grant.

When police arrived at the scene in Solon, Grant was already on a snowmobile and uncooperative with deputies; he took off on the vehicle shortly after police arrived, Mitchell said.

By mid-morning Tuesday the snowmobile had been located, without Grant on it, on the Kennebec River near Embden, a short distance away from his residence. The Maine Warden Service was called to the scene to assist; its response included seven wardens, use of the department’s air boat and a helicopter dispatched from the Maine Forest Service, according to Mitchell.

“It appears that Grant tried to cross the Kennebec on open water,” Mitchell said.

The snowmobile made it about 30 yards across the river before it sank in shallow water at depths of 3-4 feet. Grant then made his way across the river on foot, heading toward Madison.

Wardens tracked footprints to a residence on River Road in Madison around 5:30 p.m. Tuesday evening and Grant was arrested. Grant was being held Wednesday at Somerset County Jail in East Madison. He could face additional charges by the warden service if arrangements are not made to have the snowmobile removed after a grace period.

Mitchell said that it appears the snowmobile belonged to Grant or a relative; the home on River Road where Grant was found by authorities appears to belong to a friend or family member.

The investigation by the Sheriff’s Office will be handed up to the District Attorney’s office. Other responding agencies include Anson-Madison-Starks Ambulance and Madison and Anson fire departments.