FARMINGTON — An Albany Township driver who sped away from a county deputy and a slew of charges in Chesterville on Thanksgiving Day was in custody Tuesday at the Franklin County Detention Center.

Devin Leonard, 25, was arrested Sunday in Bethel by Oxford County deputies, Franklin County Sheriff Scott Nichols Sr. said Tuesday in a release.

Leonard was found at the Family Dollar store in Bethel by Oxford Deputy Steve Witham. Leonard was in a stolen vehicle from Lewiston, Witham said.

Leonard was returned to Franklin County on Monday to face the charges from the Nov. 23 incident.

Leonard was stopped for a traffic violation on Route 156 by Deputy Derek Doucette. He gave the officer a false name, “Dale Thompson,” and did not provide a driver’s license, according to the sheriff who was asking for help to find Leonard.

After a few computer checks, Doucette identified the driver as Leonard. He found that Leonard had 18 active driver’s license suspensions and a warrant for unpaid fines.

With that information, Doucette approached the vehicle and called the driver by his real name. Leonard responded by driving off, speeding away from Doucette on Vienna Road traveling toward Vienna in Kennebec County, Nichols said.

Doucette followed him for a short time and then stopped chasing him, Nichols said.

An additional warrant for the arrest of Leonard will be issued on a felony charge of eluding an officer, Nichols said. 

Leonard is also facing the additional misdemeanor charges of failing to stop for an officer; driving to endanger; refusing to submit to arrest or detention; operating a motor vehicle without a license; operating with a suspended or revoked license; and failure to give correct name, address or date of birth.  

Devin Leonard (Franklin County Detention Center)