Two male teenagers led police on a high-speed chase through four Cumberland County communities early this morning before spike mats punctured all four tires.
Windham police arrested the 17-year-old operator – who had no driver’s license – and his passenger after a black 2007 Ford Focus that reached speeds in excess of 100 mph finally came to rest in Gorham at 2:30 a.m. today.
The driver was taken to Long Creek Youth Development Center in South Portland. The passenger was released to the custody of his parents.
The only current charge is eluding a police officer. Others are likely to be added, according to Sgt. Peter Fulton of the Windham Police Department, who said the operator had been consuming alcohol.
The chase began in Portland shortly after 1:30 a.m. on outer Forest Avenue and continued through Westbrook and Windham, where the first spike mat was successfully employed.
The car does not belong to either teenager, Fulton said, but may have been borrowed from a friend.
A 2009 Windham police cruiser had to be towed from the scene because of a blown transmission.
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