Franklin County sheriff says driver with 18 suspensions sped away during traffic stop

FARMINGTON — The Franklin County Sheriff’s Office asked for help Friday in finding an Albany Township driver who sped away from an officer and a slew of charges Thursday.

Devin Leonard, 25, was stopped for a traffic violation at 12:49 p.m. on Route 156, near the intersection of Vienna Road in Chesterville by Deputy Derek Doucette, Sheriff Scott Nichols said in a news release.

After being stopped by the deputy, the driver of the two-door black Saturn with a red hood gave a false name, “Dale Thompson,” and did not provide a driver’s license, according to the sheriff.

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.

A check of records at the sheriff’s office provided photographs of Leonard during previous arrests in Franklin County and confirmed his identity, Nichols said.

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.

He said an additional warrant for the arrest of Leonard will be issued on a Class C felony charge of eluding an officer.

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.

Anyone with information on the location of Devin Leonard is asked to contact the Sheriff’s Office at 778-2680 or via Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/franklincountysheriffmaine/.