Gun-wielding man leads cops on chase after robberies at several Maine churches

BRIDGTON, Maine - A man was arrested on Sunday after leading police on a chase through several Southern Maine towns following alleged robberies at three churches, including one in which he reportedly grabbed money from a collection plate.

Police got involved around 10:05 a.m. when a woman called 911 from a church parking lot at 213 Federal Road in Parsonsfield to say a male subject threatened to kill her and referenced a firearm that was not displayed.

As the male subject took off in a 2011 Silver Subaru he almost struck a pedestrian as he headed east toward Cornish, according to a statement released from DOS spokesperson Shannon Moss.

Units from the Maine State Police and the Cumberland County Sheriff's Office along with other area agencies headed to the area to look for the suspect. Less than a half hour later MSP Sgt. Daniel Hanson was flagged down on Route 25 in Cornish by a citizen who reported the suspect pulled a gun on him in the parking lot of a church at 37 Main St. in Cornish and demanded his wallet.

Then around 11:20 a.m., it was reported that the suspect entered a church at 1006 Pequawket Trail in Baldwin, took money from the offering plate, and grabbed a woman's purse before fleeing the church without displaying the firearm. Soon after deputies with the Cumberland County Sheriff's Office located the suspect's vehicle near Bliss Road in Baldwin and began a pursuit leading to Route 107. The pursuit headed south on 107 toward Route 25 before the suspect turned around and headed back north.

State Police units intercepted the pursuit on 107 in Baldwin, and soon after the suspect was seen waving a firearm inside his vehicle. He also intentionally swerved his vehicle at other vehicles on Route 07, police say.

After entering Bridgton a state trooper was able to utilize a PIT maneuver (Precision Immobilization Technique) just prior to Bridgton Hospital causing the vehicle to veer off the into a field. The suspect got out of the vehicle and fled on foot, but was quickly located and taken into custody.

Connor McGlone, 27, of Auburn, previously of New Hampshire, was transported to Bridgton Hospital for evaluation and later transported to York County Jail.

McGlone had three active warrants at the time of this incident, including one from York County for robbery dated Feb. 15, one out of Oxford County for probation revocation from a prior robbery charge dated Feb. 22 and another out of York County for felony theft dated March 27.

In addition to the warrants, McGlone was also charged with two counts of robbery. Additional charges are expected as the investigation continues.

During the pursuit, McGlone was swerving his vehicle at other vehicles on the road. If anyone had close contact with the subject vehicle they are encouraged to contact Sgt. Dan Hanson at 207. 624.7076.