CHESTERVILLE — A local man was arrested Sunday night when police responded to a report of a man being in the middle of Ridge Road and hitting vehicles with his hands as they drove by, a state police trooper said.

A resident had observed what was going on and reported that the person was either “drunk or high” to police at about 6:25 p.m.

Jason Fowler, 38, of Chesterville was arrested on a charge of assault on a police officer, Sgt. Jeffrey Beach said.

While police were responding to the scene, Augusta Regional Communications Center dispatchers advised that they had received more calls about the subject, he said.

“One caller stated Mr. Fowler had hit her vehicle; another caller stated Mr. Fowler had blood coming from his face,” Beach said.

The communications center dispatchers advised that Franklin County Sheriff’s Department had a deputy on scene, and the subject had fled into the woods, he said.

Deputy Edward Hastings IV reached the scene first, Sheriff Scott Nichols Sr. said.

Trooper Mathew Casavant was alerted and went to the Ridge Road with his police dog, Marcello, Beach said.

When Trooper Keith Barton arrived, he located the deputy and Fowler, who had come back out of the woods.

“Mr. Fowler showed signs of being intoxicated and was extremely belligerent,” he said.

Casavant arrived and Fowler confronted Casavant, physically shoving the trooper, he said.

Fowler was then taken into custody and taken to Franklin County Jail in Farmington.

He remained in jail Monday afternoon, held on $500 cash bail, a corrections officer said.

dperry@sunjournal.com