LEWISTON – An early morning car chase through the downtown area Thursday ended in a crash and the arrest of two area teenagers.
The 16-year-old driver of the car that crashed was arrested on a charge of failing to stop for police and other driving violations. Both teens were also arrested on charges stemming from a string of recent burglaries across Androscoggin County.
The chase began about 1:30 a.m. when police Cpl. Dawn Rancourt spotted a car speeding through a stop sign at Walnut and Bartlett streets, police said.
“Even at that time of night, there’s a lot of pedestrian traffic out there,” said Lewiston police Sgt. David Chick. “It’s a major crossroad.”
Rancourt followed the car in her cruiser, but the driver made several attempts to lose the officer, police said. Chick said the driver sped through several parking areas, turned his headlights off and made sudden, unexpected turns.
Moments later, the driver headed the wrong way down Pine Street toward the downtown area, police said. The car then cut toward Sabattus Street and was driven onto Oak Street toward Bates College.
Minutes after the pursuit began, more police officers were involved in trying to get the driver to stop, Chick said. Police said the driver attempted to speed away from approaching police cars, but lost control of the vehicle at Main and Frye streets.
“The car hit a curb and came to an abrupt stop,” Chick said.
The driver of the car attempted to run away but was quickly caught by the officers, Chick said. He suffered minor injuries. The passenger, also believed to be 16 years old, was taken into custody for questioning.
Police blocked off a stretch of Main Street while fire crews responded to douse flames that erupted from the car after it crashed.
Chick said officers who searched the car found a crowbar and other tools. Police questioned the teens and said the pair admitted to committing several burglaries in Minot, Poland and nearby area.
Investigators in Lewiston contacted Maine State Police, who confirmed that they had been searching for suspects in a number of break-ins in which concession stands had been burglarized and items taken from them.
Police arrested the two teens on charges of burglary, theft and receiving stolen property. Neither was identified.
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