by Sarah Craighead Dedmon

Chad Sands, 34, of Addison, has been captured and taken to Washington County jail after leading local law enforcement on an overnight manhunt that ended after dawn when Sands was captured in Columbia.

According to Washington County Chief Deputy Michael Crabtree, deputies were dispatched at 4:15 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 27, after a woman reported a domestic dispute in Addison.

Deputies arrived and placed Sands under arrest. He was handcuffed behind his back and placed in the front seat of the cruiser. While the deputy was standing nearby, Sands was able to maneuver his hands in front of him, and jumped to the driver's side, then drove away. The deputy was able to open the door and grab Sands, but let go to avoid being dragged by the vehicle. 

Sands then struck his own residence with the vehicle, near where the victim had been standing, then traveled secondary roads and a blueberry field in Columbia before abandoning the cruiser and fleeing into the woods.  

The sheriff's office deployed the K-9 in the area and was assisted by the Maine State Police, Maine Game Wardens, and Marine Patrol who all assisted with setting a perimeter of the area. It was determined Sands had crossed a river and was believed to be contained in a thickly wooded area. Customs and Border Protection Air and Marine Operations were called in to assist using a helicopter equipped with a thermal imaging unit.

The search was suspended shortly after midnight and resumed shortly before daybreak when Sands was located near the Pleasant River Fish and Game Club. Sands was taken into custody without incident and taken to the Machias hospital to be examined after exposure to the elements. He was released and is currently being held in the Washington County Jail.

Sands was arrested for Possession of a Firearm by a prohibited person Class B, Escape Class B, and Eluding Class C.  Sands is being held on $10,000 cash bail; more charges may be forthcoming.  Sands most likely will be arraigned Friday, Oct. 29.