Staff reports
Monday, March 21, 2016 11:20 am
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ROCHESTER - The Vermont man who led police on a dangerous high speed chase through downtown Rochester almost hitting a police officer trying to apprehend him was found guilty last week during a jury trial 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.
Adams was found guilty on one count of reckless conduct in connection with almost striking an officer and one count for driving recklessly to endanger passing motorists the day of the chase.
He faces up to 22 years in state prison when he is sentenced. No sentencing date had been set as of today. A jury rendered the guilty verdict on Thursday.
The chase on Dec. 11, 2013, led officers through Rochester's downtown from Bridge Street 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 in the snow to a nearby garage at 160 Milton Road.
Adams was indicted in the case in August of 2014.
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.