LEWISTON — A Bowdoin man was behind bars Wednesday, accused of leading police on an early morning chase through the downtown and then tussling with the officers who tried to arrest him.

Christopher Noel Androscoggin County Jail

Christopher Noel, 39, was arrested on charges of eluding police, refusing to submit to arrest, driving to endanger, reckless conduct with a dangerous weapon, criminal speed and violating conditions of release from jail on previous charges.

The chase started shortly after midnight Tuesday when police tried to stop Noel’s vehicle in the area of Elm and Oak streets. Instead of stopping, police said, Noel sped away, reaching such high speeds as he fled that police broke off the chase for fear of endangering the public.

A short time later, however, police caught up with Noel, who was parked at 70 River St. on other side of the downtown. Noel was still sitting in his vehicle, police said, when they arrived.

When they moved to arrest him, Noel resisted, resulting in a scuffle before Noel was subdued and taken into custody, police said. A witness reported that police had to stun him with a Taser to get him under control.

Noel, who has a long criminal history in the Lewiston-Auburn area, was being held at the Androscoggin County Jail in Auburn without bail.

At the time of his arrest, Noel was free on release from previous, unrelated charges.

In November 2023, Noel was among a half-dozen suspects who were arrested at what police described as a “drug house” on 15 Western Promenade.

Noel, who listed a Lisbon address at the time, was arrested on two outstanding warrants for aggravated assault, assault and
driving offenses.

Additionally, according to court records, over the past 10 years, Noel has been convicted twice of driving after having been declared an habitual offender.