ROCKLAND – A Rockport man was arrested on March 15 for allegedly driving on the wrong side of the road throughout Rockland and Thomaston, forcing other vehicles off the road.

Michael S. Canfield, 29, was charged with reckless conduct with a dangerous weapon and driving to endanger.

Canfield made his initial appearance in Knox County Court before Judge Sarah Gilbert on March 16. Bail was set at $2,000 which was posted by the suspect. He cannot operate a motor vehicle as a condition of his bail.

According to the affidavit filed by Rockland Police in Knox County Court, police received a report at approximately 9 a.m. on March 15 that a small red car, identified as a 2017 Ford Focus, was driving erratically. A witness had reported that the car had exited the Shaw’s parking lot in Rockland and was headed south on Camden Street toward McDonald’s. Earlier that day Thomaston Police had received a complaint about the same vehicle also driving erratically. Police said the vehicle was driving in the opposite lane of the road on Route 1 as if to strike a vehicle head-on before it forced it off the road.

Rockland Police stopped the vehicle on Broadway in front of Oceanside High School after it attempted to pass another vehicle with a double yellow line on the road. Police said in the affidavit that Canfield told them he was “peacefully protesting” but it had gone too far. He didn’t say what he was protesting.

Canfield had previously been involved in another high-speed chase March 6 on New County Road heading toward Rockland with Thomaston Police but he left the city limits and was not apprehended, according to the court document.

Canfield is scheduled to appear in court again on April 16 for a dispositional conference.

Reach Sarah Shepherd at news@penbaypilot.com