CANTON — A Peru man was arrested late Saturday after he led a state trooper on a 7-mile chase during which the suspect’s vehicle reached 114 mph, according to Lt. Kyle Tilsley of the Maine State Police.
Eric Tidswell, 43, was arrested on a felony charge of failure to stop for an officer and misdemeanor charges of operating after suspension, criminal speed and two counts of violating conditions of release, Tilsley said.
The chase began about 10:30 p.m., when Trooper Jason Wing observed Tidswell’s vehicle on Route 108, near Summit Drive.
Wing said Tidswell was traveling at least 30 mph faster than the 55-mph speed limit, according to Tilsley.
Wing pursued Tidswell into Livermore, where he eventually reduced his speed.
Wing was able to catch up to Tidswell’s vehicle near the intersection of Route 4, where he was stopped and arrested.
Tidswell was held without bail over the weekend at the Androscoggin County Jail in Auburn. He remained in jail Monday night after a judge earlier in the day set his bail at $5,000 cash, according to a corrections officer at the jail.
A conviction for eluding police is punishable by up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $5,000. The misdemeanor charges are punishable by up to 364 days in jail and a fine of up to $2,000.
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Eric Tidswell Androscoggin County Jail photo
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