05/06/2026
On 5/5/2026 at approximately 8:21 AM, Fairfield Police were requested by Oakland Police to check the area of Mill Street in Fairfield for a vehicle that had been reported stolen in Oakland. Officer Bard, Captain Mank and Chief Gould responded to the area and located the vehicle, a black 2022 GMC Sierra. As officers were arriving, the vehicle fled and began operating in an erratic manner. A Precision Immobilization Technique (PIT maneuver) was immediately attempted to end the pursuit; however, it was unsuccessful. The pursuit continued into Waterville, and south bound onto the Interstate, where the vehicle crossed the median and began driving the wrong way before turning around. Officers lost sight of the vehicle at that time.
A short time later, the vehicle was located parked in Clinton. Several witnesses told officers that the operator had gone into a residence on the Canaan Road, then fled on foot out the back door. He was located shortly after by Officer Lowell from Pittsfield PD and Detective Lyman from the Somerset County Sheriff's Office and taken into custody.
The driver was identified as Christopher Groves, 30, of Benton. He was arrested on 5 active arrest warrants as well as the following charges from the pursuit:
• Eluding an Officer Class C
• Aggravated Criminal Mischief Class C
• Reckless Conduct With a Dangerous Weapon Class C
• Failing to Stop For a Police Officer Class E
• Driving to Endanger Class E
• Criminal Speed Class E
• Violating Conditions of Release Class E
Groves was transported to the Somerset County Jail. His court date is set for July 15/2026 at 1 PM.
The Fairfield Police were assisted by Waterville PD, Pittsfield PD, Maine State Police and the Somerset County Sheriff's Office.
One Fairfield cruiser sustained minor damage from the PIT maneuver.