Two teenagers were arrested and being held in custody as of Monday after a late-night chase that exceeded 100 mph, police said.
Around 10:15 p.m. Sunday, Skowhegan police officers received a call from the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office regarding a possible stolen vehicle in the area, Chief David Bucknam of the Skowhegan Police Department said. About 45 minutes later, Cpl. Benaiah Willhoite attempted to stop the 2018 Nissan Sentra on the Russell Road.
The driver of the vehicle did not stop, and the chase proceeded south toward Norridgewock Avenue, Bucknam said.
Willhoite continued to pursue the car toward Norridgewock, on River Road, Bucknam said. Eventually, the driver made a U-turn and headed back east toward Skowhegan, he said.
In Skowhegan, Officer Alex Burns deployed spike mats on Norridgewock Avenue, which deflated three of the car’s four tires, Bucknam said. That stopped the vehicle, which at that point was reportedly traveling faster than 100 mph, and police arrested the driver and the lone passenger.
The driver, a 17-year-old girl from Skowhegan, was arrested on charges of driving to endanger, criminal speed, operating without a license, eluding an officer, theft by unauthorized use of property and theft by unauthorized taking or transfer, according to Bucknam.
She was taken to Long Creek Youth Development Center in South Portland, the chief said. Her name was not released, as she is a minor.
The passenger, Devyn Austin, 18, of Skowhegan, was arrested on felony-level charges of theft by unauthorized taking or transfer, aggravated criminal mischief and possession of a firearm by a prohibited person, as well as misdemeanor-level charges of refusing to submit to arrest or detention, operating with a suspended license, assault and theft by unauthorized use of property, Bucknam said.
Austin was taken to the Somerset County Jail. She was being held without bail as of Monday afternoon, booking information online shows.
Bucknam said the theft by unauthorized taking or transfer charges are related to firearms; the theft by unauthorized use of property is related to the vehicle.
No injuries were reported.
“The spike mats, the tire deflation system, did its job by hitting three out of the four tires and bringing the vehicle to a stop safely,” Bucknam said.
