High speed chase ends in the unexpected arrest of an intervening citizen who shot at fleeing vehicle

ACTON, ME - An unexpected arrest arose after a high-speed chase that began in Milton, New Hampshire, and ended in Acton, Maine. The initial suspect Michael Bennett, who fled from officers when police approached him responding to a suspicious activity call, was arrested. But a second arrest came when Acton resident Robert Sprague, 55, fired on the assailant's vehicle with a shotgun.

As reported by WMTW, the Milton Police Department (MPD) attempted to make contact with Bennett outside of a Dollar General store at approximately 9:00 p.m. Monday when he fled from police. A high-speed chase ensued with Bennett reaching 80 MPH near Route 125. At this point, officers deployed spike strips, deflating some of his vehicle's tires.

Though Bennett continued to flee, he reduced speed as he approached Acton. At approximately 9:15 p.m., he came to Foxes Ridge Road where a group of residents intervened, forming an ad hoc roadblock to stop him. Sprague, his daughter Nicole, and her boyfriend were among them. According to police, Sprague was armed with a shotgun and fired at the suspect's vehicle striking the trunk.

During an interview with Maine's Total Coverage reporter Jim Keithley, Sprague explained, "I didn't know what he was going to do and I just reacted in the moment. People do that! I grabbed the shotgun and I just shot it at the rear end of the car."
 

"I figured this is my chance to help, to do good, to stop somebody from further hurting somebody, and I ended up in jail," he added. "The first time I've had handcuffs on in (my) 55 years."

Bennett fled the impromptu roadblock as well before arriving in Milton, visibly hurling drug paraphernalia from the car. Officers corralled him at the edge of a river where he jumped out and a foot pursuit ensued. He was quickly apprehended. 

Bennett is charged with disobeying an officer, operating as a habitual offender, reckless operation, misuse of plates, speeding, and littering per WMTW. Sprague is due to appear in court in November to address a charge of reckless conduct with a dangerous weapon. He could face as much as a $5,000 fine and five years in prison.
 

"Last night, I thought I was helping out. I thought I was stopping him from creating more chaos," Sprague told the local outlet. "All I can say is: Think before you do. You think you're trying to help, but you're actually not. I made a mistake and I will never get involved again," he added.