Rumford Man Arrested After Pepper Spray Incident Involving Woman and Children, Police Say

January 5, 2026 — by Scanner Alerts Media

RUMFORD, Maine — Rumford Police arrested a Rumford man Sunday night after officers said he pepper sprayed multiple people inside an apartment on Cumberland Street, sending several individuals to the hospital.

Police, along with MedCare Ambulance and Rumford Fire personnel, were dispatched to 419 Cumberland Street at approximately 7:37 p.m. after the Oxford County Regional Communications Center received reports of people screaming and having difficulty breathing. While units were en route, dispatch advised that an adult male had allegedly pepper sprayed several individuals at the address.

Following interviews with multiple witnesses, officers said Donald “Harley” Wilson, 41, went to an apartment at 419 Cumberland Street looking for another individual. Police said Wilson became angry after he was unable to locate that person or obtain information about their whereabouts, and then discharged pepper spray inside the residence.

According to police, the chemical agent affected two families, including a 35-year-old woman and three children ages 16, 13, and 9. All four were transported to Rumford Hospital for evaluation, decontamination, and treatment related to exposure. Police said an infant from a neighboring apartment was also evaluated at the scene by emergency medical personnel as a precaution.

Wilson fled before police arrived but was located a short time later walking on Lincoln Avenue, where he was taken into custody without incident, police said.

Wilson was charged with four counts of criminal use of disabling chemicals (Class D misdemeanor), four counts of assault (Class D misdemeanor), and one count of disorderly conduct (Class E misdemeanor). Police said he was later released on bail. Alcohol is believed to have been a contributing factor in the incident.

Credit: Rumford Police Department

Oxford County • Oxford County • Crime