CAPE ELIZABETH — A South Portland man was arrested Tuesday after leading Cape Elizabeth police on a car chase Monday.
Richard Byrnes, 44, of Rollins Way, South Portland, was arrested at his residence by Cape Elizabeth Police Officer Ben Davis at 5:10 p.m. The arrest followed a brief car chase Monday evening from Fort Williams Park in Cape Elizabeth to South Portland.
Byrnes, who was held overnight and scheduled to be arraigned Wednesday, was charged with operating a vehicle after his license was revoked, refusing to submit to arrest, attempting to elude an officer, illegal attachment of plates, driving to endanger, and reckless conduct.
The car chase began when Davis attempted to pull Byrnes over for a motor vehicle violation. Byrnes allegedly sped away and, once in South Portland, began driving down side streets in an attempt to lose the officer. According to the Cape Elizabeth Police Department, Davis stopped pursuing Byrnes because the chase posed a public safety threat.
Police on Tuesday posted a photo on Facebook of the orange Mazda Byrnes had been driving and asked the public for help identifying the driver. They said they quickly received a couple of tips that led to Byrnes and his arrest.
Kate Gardner can be reached at 781-3661 ext. 125 or kgardner@theforecaster.net. Follow her on Twitter: @katevgardner.
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