Man Shot by Maine Officers After Stealing Two Police Vehicles

A man who allegedly stole two patrol vehicles and led officers on a pursuit was wounded in a shootout with Maine officers on Monday.

Gary Porter, 37, has been charged with theft, assault on a police officer, escape, eluding and violating his bail conditions,Shannon Moss, a spokesperson for the Maine Department of Public Safety, told the Bangor Daily News .

Porter was arrested for an outstanding felony warrant about 7:18 a.m. Monday after the Paris Police Department received a report about a “suspicious male,” Moss said Monday evening.

When he arrived at the Oxford County Jail, Porter reportedly slipped his handcuffs, moved into the driver’s seat and stole the police vehicle.

Multiple agencies pursued him. Porter was confronted by officers and shots were fired. Though wounded, the suspect reportedly managed to steal an Oxford County Sheriff’s Office cruiser and drive a short way up the road before crashing again, according to Moss.

Porter is now in custody.