Man nabbed after crashing cruiser, fleeing scene

Justin Goodwin; at right passenger side damage on cruiser. (Rochester Police photos)

ROCHESTER - A Middleton man was arrested on Friday night after he rammed his car into a Rochester Police cruiser then tried to flee the scene only to crash again before being apprehended after a brief foot chase.

It all began around 9:30 p.m. when Officer Marc Cilley of the Rochester Police Department was driving a department Dodge Charger on Columbus Avenue and was struck by a 2006 Hyundai Tucson that had crossed the center lane.

According to a Rochester Police press release, the Hyundai would have struck the police vehicle head on if it were not for a defensive maneuver performed by Cilley.

The suspect then fled the scene and later crashed his vehicle at the end of Dublin Way, fleeing from the vehicle on foot.

Neighbors in the area were able to point the officers in the direction the suspect fled, and after a brief foot pursuit he was taken into custody.

Justin Goodwin, 23, of Middleton, was charged with driving under the influence of drugs, conduct after an accident, disobeying an officer, resisting arrest and a yellow line violation and.

He is being held at the Strafford County Jail on $25,000 cash bail with a Monday arraignment date in the 7th Circuit Court of Rochester.

No injuries were reported in the incident.

The Hyundai suffered some front-end damage.

The Charger, however, suffered damage to the driver's side and had to be towed.

Anyone that may have witnessed this incident is encouraged to call the Rochester Police Department at 603-330-7127 or Rochester Crimeline at 335-6500. All calls to the Rochester Crimeline will remain confidential and rewards are given for information, which leads to arrests. Tipsters can also text the Rochester Crimline at Crimes (274637) in the body write TEXT4CASH followed by your tip.