Suspects who fled school bus crash found 5 days later in wall of house

Two men who ran away after crashing into a school bus were found by police five days after the incident and arrested.

The crash happened Friday at about 2:20 p.m. near 419 Sokokis Ave. in Limington, according to state police. A school bus with 13 children on board was traveling south toward Axelsen Road and slowing down when it was struck from behind by a four-door sedan leaving both vehicles severely damaged but causing no injuries.

The drivers of the sedan, described at the time as two white men in their 20s or 30s, fled on foot into nearby woods. Police found an item of clothing from the men and attempted to use it to locate them with a police dog but were unsuccessful.

On Wednesday at about 9 p.m., Maine State Police with help from the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office executed a search warrant at 361 Sokokis Ave. in Limington believing the men were there, state police said in a news release. Using a police dog, they found the men, Robert Hargis, 33, and his brother, Patrick Hargis, 30, both of Hiram, hiding inside a wall in an upstairs bedroom.

Both were arrested and brought to York County Jail.

Robert Hargis had nine active arrest warrants, according to police, and was arrested on these with no additional charges related to the crash.

Patrick Hargis, who had one active arrest warrant and was on probation, was charged with felony reckless conduct with a dangerous weapon and will also be charged with operating after suspension, operating with suspended registration, leaving the scene of an accident and three counts of violating conditions of release.