BELFAST — A Northport man faces several charges following an attempt to elude police early Sunday morning, according to Sergeant Matthew Cook of the Belfast Police Department.

Phillip McFadden, 22, of Waldo, had been stopped earlier in the evening by Officer Travis Spencer, who recognized the vehicle while traveling north on Route 1. 

Officer Spencer reportedly turned his vehicle around to position himself behind the McFadden’s Chevy Cobalt before attempting to initiate a traffic stop, Sgt. Cook said.

At that point, McFadden sped away from Spencer, reportedly admitting later his vehicle reached over 100 mph during his attempt to evade officers. 

McFadden reportedly told officers that after losing sight of cruiser lights, he initially thought he might have gotten far enough ahead to lose them, until the lights reappeared. 

McFadden took the turn from Route 1 to Congress Street at approximately 70 mph, according to Sgt. Cook. 

“They’re super lucky [not to have crashed],” he said, of the vehicle’s five occupants. 

After turning on to Congress Street, McFadden took an immediate left onto Booth Drive, where he reportedly traveled behind a building by driving on grass. Once behind the building, all five occupants scattered, according to Sgt. Cook. 

Belfast Police requested assistance from the Maine State Police’s K9 unit, though officers were able to convince four of the men to surrender before the arrival of the dog. 

Cook said four of the men surrendered after being called to by law enforcement. 

“One of the things being yelled was [that the] police dog was being brought in,” he said. 

The fifth man was able to escape capture, though Cook said police know who he is. 

McFadden was ultimately arrested, charged with operating under the influence, eluding an officer, criminal speeding, driving to endanger, hindering apprehension or prosecution and violation of conditions of release. 

Cook said that McFadden, whose blood alcohol content was .15 when tested, had been arrested for operating under the influence the day prior in Hampden. 

The other occupants of the vehicle included Ariel Woodard, 19, of Belfast, who was issued summonses for illegal possession of liquor by a minor (via consumption) and refusing to submit to arrest to detention. 

Jetton R. Whiting, 22, of Northport, was issued summonses for possession of a usable amount of marijuana, hindering apprehension or prosecution and refusing to submit to arrest or detention. 

Abraham Staples, 24, of Searsmont, was issued a summons for refusing to submit to arrest or detention. 

As of Monday, Phillip McFadden remained in custody at the Waldo County Jail. 

Erica Thoms can be reached at news@penbaypilot.com