Maine Man is Accused of Using Pepper Spray on a Jogger

A Maine man is facing charges for a seemingly random attack on a jogger.

Rockland, Maine, Man Allegedly Assaulted a Jogger With Pepper Spray

Rockland Police say Nicholas Wallace, 37, who's listed as a transient, is facing the following charges:

• Criminal threatening
• Terrorizing
• Disorderly Conduct
• Assault
• Criminal use of disabling chemicals.

He was taken to the Knox County Holding Facility at Two Bridges Jail in Wiscasset.

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The motivation behind the attack is unknown.

Rockland, Maine, Jogger Pepper-Sprayed in a Random Attack

On Saturday morning, June 27, 2026, Wallace allegedly chased down a woman who had jogged past him and pepper-sprayed her.

Witnesses then came to the woman's aid, chasing the suspect from the scene.

Police say the female has no relation to Wallace, and so the attack appears to be random.

Pepper Spray Can Cause Serious Side Effects in People With Breathing Disorders

Pepper spray is a chemical compound often used in self-defense to disable a person without killing them.

The main ingredient in pepper spray is capsaicin, which is found in edible peppers, such as jalapeños.

Pepper spray will irritate a person's eyes, skin, and mucous membranes and, if inhaled, can cause coughing, difficulty breathing,  nasal and throat irritation, and a runny nose.

Being sprayed in the eyes can make them difficult to open and cause pain, redness, and sensitivity to light.

According to the National Capital Poison Center, the effects of pepper spray usually last two or three hours, but can be more severe for people with a breathing disorder.

Severe attacks can cause wheezing, corneal damage, and blistering.

We'll update this story as more details become available.