FARMINGTON – A 28-year-old man from Illinois is facing multple felony charges after a reported domestic violence assault and a car chase through Franklin and Androscoggin counties Monday afternoon. On Monday, October 23, 2023, at approximately 11:47 a.m. Farmington Police were dispatched to the Farmington Motel, located at 489 Farmington Falls Road for a reported disturbance between a male and female, Deputy Chief Shane Cote said in a media release Tuesday morning.
Cote said that Farmington Officer Ryan Rosie quickly arrived on scene and was able to speak with the victim. Officer Rosie advised that the male suspect had already fled the scene in a Black GMC SUV registered in Illinois.
Sergeant Brandon Sholan of the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office located the suspect vehicle on Wilton Road in Farmington and attempted to stop them as they were already traveling in excess of 30mph over the posted speed limit.
Officer Rosie advised the male was wanted at this time for aggravated domestic violence, specifically strangulation; and preventing the report of a crime.
Sergeant Ethan Boyd of Farmington Police Department joined FCSO Sergeant Sholan as they continued through Farmington and turned onto Route 133. Jay Police set up on their town line as the vehicle continued and refused to stop.
Androscoggin County was then notified as the vehicle continued south on Route 4 into Livermore and Turner.
Cote reported that as the chase continued, Androscoggin County deputies deployed tire deflation devices in an attempt to terminate the pursuit, however the suspect was able to avoid them. Another deputy was able to set up a tire deflation device on Center Street in Auburn and deployed it successfully. The suspect vehicle then left the roadway and struck a utility pole in what appeared to be an intentional act, Cote said.
Coe said the suspect, Cesar J. Vergara, 28 years of age, from Cicero, Illinois was taken into custody. The Black 2015 GMC that he was operating sustained front-end damage from the crash and was towed from the scene.
Vergara was charged by the Farmington Police Department with Class B Aggravated Domestic Violence (strangulation) and Class D Obstructing the report of a crime. Cote said that Vergara will also face charges from other agencies involved in this incident.
The Androscoggin County Sheriff’s Office said in a release that Vergera would also be facing felony charges of eluding a law enforcement officer and passing a roadblock in Androscoggin County.
The Farmington Police Department would like to thank all assisting agencies, Franklin County Sheriff’s Department, Jay Police Department, Androscoggin County Sheriff’s Department, and Auburn Police Department.
If you or a loved one are in a domestic violence situation, there are resources available. Safe Voices, based in Lewiston, is the domestic violence support and resource organization for Franklin, Oxford, and Androscoggin counties. Resources can be reached 24/7 through safevoices.org or by calling 1-800-559-2927. In an emergency, call 911.
