The Westbrook police arrested a 38-year-old man and charged him with receiving stolen property after he led officers on a high-speed chase.
Police Chief Paul McCarthy said Robert Payzant, address unavailable, was arrested Oct. 30 after leading police on a chase at speeds approaching 95 mph that began in Westbrook at about 1:20 a.m. and ended at the intersection of Routes 237 and 25 in Gorham.
The chase began when Payzant was seen driving on Main Street near the intersection of Spring Street in a 2004 Isuzu Rodeo that matched the description of one reported stolen from the Norman David dealership in Westbrook. McCarthy said Payzant fled from officers and led them on a two-and-a-half mile chase that ended when Payzant lost control of his vehicle while he was trying to make a right-hand turn.
After his vehicle went off the road, Payzant got out of the car and fled into the woods. A police dog tracked him for about a half-mile before officers found Payzant in the woods. McCarthy said Payzant was arrested and charged with receiving stolen property and charges stemming from an outstanding warrant. McCarthy said Payzant is also a suspect in an incident where a purse was stolen from a Lee Dodge office shortly after the vehicle Payzant was found driving was stolen. McCarthy anticipates police will be filing further charges against Payzant.
Payzant was taken to the Cumberland County Jail where he is being held on $200,000 property or $15,540 cash bail. The case remains under investigation by the Westbrook police.
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