BY CRAIG CROSBY

Staff Writer

An escaped prisoner was back behind bars Wednesday after allegedly fleeing in a stolen pickup while on release.

Kris Nadeau, 33, was arrested on Sabattus Street in Lewiston shortly after 10 p.m., Tuesday, just a few hours after he failed to report back from a work release to Bolduc Correctional Facility in Warren, said Chief Deputy Michael Ward of the Androscoggin County Sheriff's Department.

Nadeau, who had been returned to the Warren prison Wednesday afternoon, is facing several charges in Androscoggin and Knox counties, Ward said.

He did not know why Nadeau, who is from the Lewiston/Auburn area, is incarcerated at the Warren facility.

Nadeau allegedly stole a 1996 Ford F-150 truck while out on release and left the area. He was then involved in a hit-and-run accident in Knox County before heading to the Lewiston area, Ward said.

Androscoggin County Sheriff's Deputy Nate McNally spotted the stolen vehicle traveling in the opposite direction on Sabattus Street. McNally turned and followed the pickup until Nadeau pulled into a Cumberland farms. There was no chase, Ward said.

"Nadeau exited the vehicle and was arrested without incident," Ward said.

A fellow Androscoggin County deputy, as well as officers from the Lewiston and Sabattus police departments, assisted at the scene.

Nadeau is expected to be charged with operating under the influence, aggravated operating after habitual offender revocation and unlawful possession of a scheduled drug along with numerous charges in Knox County, Ward said.

Craig Crosby--623-3811 Ext. 433

ccrosby@centralmaine.com