Trial begins for Vt. man said to have led police on high-speed chase

Reuben Adams (Police photo)

ROCHESTER - The Vermont man who allegedly led police on a spectacular high speed chase through downtown Rochester in December 2013 in which he almost hit an officer trying to apprehend him is scheduled for a three-day jury trial beginning on Tuesday in Strafford County Superior Court.

Reuben Adams, 37, of 515 Brazier Road, Montpelier, Vt., who had been traced by U.S. Marshal's to an address on Bridge Street where the pursuit began, was found hiding in the rafters of a garage on Milton Road after police called off the chase and Adams crashed his car near the former L'il Mart on Milton Road.

The chase on Dec. 11 led officers through Rochester's downtown, then up Wakefield Street and onto Milton Road where they ended the pursuit due to public safety concerns.

A short time after the pursuit ended, lawmen found that Adams had crashed and abandoned his vehicle near the convenience store. Police called in K9 units and soon found Adams after following his footprints to a nearby garage at 160 Milton Road.

Adams was indicted on three felony charges in connection with the incident in August of 2014.

He faces up to 30 years apiece on two reckless conduct charges in connection with almost striking an officer and up to seven years for driving recklessly to endanger passing motorists the day of the chase.

At the time of his arrest Adams was a fugitive from justice with outstanding Vermont warrants including assault on a police officer and heroin possession.

Adams had been held at the Vermont State Prison in Waterbury on $100,000 bail.