CAMDEN — A Camden man remains in jail after he was arrested July 17 for eluding police and allegedly driving 100 miles per hour through town, according to a speed estimate made by police.

Jason M. Taylor, 46, was charged by Camden Police with eluding an officer and violating a condition of release.

Taylor made his initial appearance in Knox County Court July 18. Justice Jeffrey Hjelm ordered that he be held without bail on a probation revocation motion filed by the district attorney’s office on the same day.

According to the affidavit filed by the Camden Police Department in Knox County Court, Officer Lucas Verrier attempted to stop a BMW at approximately 11:30 p.m. on Bay View Street with its rear license plate covered by a tinted plate.

The vehicle sped up when the officer tried to pull it over and turned onto Frye Street, and never stopped at the intersection of Chestnut and Limerock streets before heading northbound to Union Street.

Verrier said that he was driving about 50 miles per hour in the police cruiser and based on the distance that Taylor was quickly gaining in the distance, he estimated that he was driving his vehicle at 100 miles per hour. The BMW struck a guardrail on Union Street, which disabled the vehicle, due to the high rate of speed at the time of impact, according to the affidavit.

When the officer got to Union Street, the vehicle was stopped against a guardrail in the oncoming lane. 

Taylor was uninjured and walked toward the police cruiser when Verrier arrived at the scene along with Camden Police officer Brook Hartshorn and Rockport Police Officer Jeta Bixhaku. Officers drew their service weapons when they approached Taylor, who surrendered without further incident. He was transported to the Knox County Jail.

Police found an AR-15-style paintball gun in the trunk of Taylor’s vehicle, loaded with glass marbles, which is classified as a dangerous weapon. Taylor is prohibited from possessing any weapons due to his bail conditions.

Taylor told police that Homeland Security was at fault, he knew he was wrong, but that a drone was following him, according to the affidavit.

He is scheduled to appear in court again September 15.

Reach Sarah Shepherd at news@penbaypilot.com.