Man snoozing in Signal St. parking lot arrested on gun, drug charges

Christopher Vages (Rochester Police photo)

ROCHESTER - A Maine man was arrested on several drug and firearms charges on Sunday after police found him unconscious in a vehicle in a Signal Street parking lot.

Officers and rescue personnel got involved around 4:40 p.m. as they responded to the scene, where they were able to wake him up.

Upon waking, the man was identified as 34-year-old Christopher Vages, who had a handgun clearly visible in the vehicle, according to Rochester Police Capt. Todd Pinkham.

Officers also noticed some drug paraphernalia and white powdery substance leading to the vehicle's impoundment. Following the execution of a search warrant additional contraband was discovered in the vehicle, Pinkham said.

Vages, of Elm Street in North Berwick, was arrested by State Police and then handed over to Rochester Police.

He was charged with drug possession, transporting drugs in a motor vehicle and felonious use of a firearm.

Vages was bailed and released with a court date of Jan. 4 in Strafford Superior Court.