Sanford man among arrested on drug charges after Rt. 202 chase

Donald Wintermute of Sanford (Alfred Jail photo)

ALFRED, Maine - State Police arrested two men on cocaine and heroin charges Monday after their car was stopped along Route 202 in Alfred.

The arrests came after the car sped off and was located a short time later in a driveway.

When Trooper James MacDonald caught up with the car, the driver, Ryan Benoit, 25, of Bridgton; and his passenger, Donald Wintermute, 29, of Sanford, were outside the vehicle and the car's rear license plate had been removed.

Benoit was arrested after a brief struggle in the driveway. After being placed in the back seat of the police cruiser, Benoit was able to unbuckle his seat belt and open the passenger door while still being handcuffed behind the back. Benoit then tried to flee but was caught within seconds and resecured.

Ryan Benoit (State Police photo)

9 mm pistol found at scene (State Police photo)

Meanwhile, other troopers , MDEA Agents and a York County Deputy arrived on scene to assist. Recovered from the scene were a loaded 9mm handgun, almost 25 grams of cocaine and 10 grams of heroin. All of the items were found on the ground which troopers suspect had fallen out of Benoit's jacket as he fought with the trooper while being placed under arrest.

Benoit and Wintermute were charged with aggravated trafficking in scheduled drugs (Class A). Benoit was already on probation for a prior drug charge and will now face additional charges of being in possession of a firearm, escape, resisting arrest, eluding an officer and operating after suspension. Both men were taken to the York County Jail.