Armed Man Sets Up Roadblock, Takes Shot at Fleeing Car in N.H. Police Chase

Oct. 3, 2024

Milton police were caught in a high-speed chase with a "suspicious vehicle" that approached the Maine state line when a man shot into the fleeing vehicle's trunk.

By Lauren Liebhaber

Source Merced Sun-Star (Merced, Calif.)

A Maine man was arrested after authorities said he set up a roadblock and shot at a suspect being pursued by police.

Deputies said Robert Sprague, 55, of Acton was arrested on a charge of reckless conduct with a dangerous weapon, WGME reported.

New Hampshire police said they were pursuing a “suspicious vehicle” traveling at high speeds when it entered Acton, Maine, according to a Sept. 30 news release from the Milton Police Department.

Officers followed the driver into Acton where it turned around and headed back toward New Hampshire, police said.

As the driver approached the state line, three Acton residents, two of whom were armed with shotguns, tried to “block the suspect’s vehicle with their own,” according to police.

One resident, identified by the York County Sheriff’s Office as Robert Sprague, “fired a shot into the trunk of the vehicle as it passed,” according to police.

“I didn’t know what he was going to do and I just reacted in the moment. People do that!” Sprague told WMTW.

“I figured this is my chance to help, to do good, to stop somebody from further hurting somebody, and I ended up in jail,” Sprague told the outlet.

“I made a mistake and I will never get involved again,” he told the station.

After crossing back into New Hampshire, the driver hit a spike strip set up by state police and was arrested shortly after, Milton police said.

Sprague was booked at the York County Jail and released on $2,000 bail, WGME reported.

He is due in court Nov. 26, the outlet reported.

Acton is about a 45-mile drive southwest from Portland.

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