PARIS — A husband and wife, who were caught stealing from a man’s house before leading him on an 18-mile chase, pleaded guilty to burglary, theft and criminal mischief Tuesday in Oxford County Superior Court.

Jason Sanborn, 34, and Misti L. Sanborn, 31, both of Saco, pleaded guilty to breaking into the Fryeburg home of Elbridge Russell on Oct. 20, 2010. Their sentencing will wait until Russell can appear in court to speak.

A third person charged, Eric Morabito, was set to appear in court but his case was continued until March.

The Sanborns and Morabito faced charges of burglary, theft, criminal mischief and possession of burglary tools. The District Attorney’s Office dropped the burglary tools charge.

Assistant District Attorney Joseph O’Connor said the homeowner was a former Navy pilot who still flies a plane. Upon returning from a day trip to Long Island, Russell found two men and a woman in his home.

When they jumped into their car to take off, he noticed some of his possessions in the car with them. They drove over some lilacs and took off down the road. Russell dialed 911 on his cellphone and chased the three. He gave police a running account of where they were going.

Russell said he saw passengers throwing items from his home into the road as he followed them. After 18 miles of pursuit, police were able to stop the car with the Sanborns and Morabito. A deputy helped Russell find some items in ditches, and the next day he drove around and found most of the others.

O’Connor said the Sanborns and Morabito took a military flight helmet, a pilot bag, silver steins, gun parts, an Army coat and a cartridge belt, among other items. The stolen goods were valued at more than $1,000. They had rubber gloves in the car that matched a pair of rubber gloves that had been left in Russell’s home.

treaves@sunjournal.com

Copy the Story Link