LEWISTON – One of two men wanted in connection with a string of vehicle thefts was arrested Friday night by police in Scarborough.

Travis Enman, 21, was arrested after trying to flee from police in a stolen car, investigators said. He is one of two men wanted in a crime ring police said is responsible for the theft of dozens of vehicles in at least five counties.

Police said Enman and 20-year-old Edward Barbioni are at the core of a group who have been stealing cars, trucks and other vehicles since early March.

The bandits attach stolen license plates to stolen cars and then commit other criminal acts, according to a detective working the case.

Police said Enman and Barbioni have been living out of motels in recent weeks. In fact, Enman was arrested at a motel Friday night after briefly eluding police.

“He was caught in a stolen car after a routine traffic stop,” said Lewiston police Lt. Thomas Avery. “When the officer approached the car, Mr. Enman tried to put the car in gear and drive away. Something went wrong and he ended up over an embankment, instead.”

Police chased Enman on foot but lost him, Avery said. But soon after, a nearby motel worker reported the suspect showed up claiming to have experienced car problems. The motel employee called police, who arrested Enman.

He was charged in a warrant with unauthorized use of property as well as other crimes connected to the recent spate of vehicle thefts.

Barbioni remained on the loose Friday night. Investigators were asking that anyone with information about his whereabouts call their local police department. In Lewiston, information can be forwarded to Detective David Chick at 795-9000.