A Portland man suspected of a Gorham theft was arrested on Sunday after leading police on a chase, with the suspect’s speed topping 100 mph on the Maine Turnpike, police said.
Gorham and Maine State Police arrested Allen Neves, 47, of 37 Casco St., Portland, on several charges after he jumped from his vehicle while it was still running.
Neves faces charges of theft, criminal speeding, failure to stop for an officer, eluding police, passing a roadblock, driving without a license and violation of bail conditions. Neves was out of jail on bail on other charges.
“We got our guy and no one was hurt,” said Lt. Chris Sanborn of the Gorham Police Department.
Neves is being being held at Cumberland County Jail and bail has been set at $5,000 cash.
Gorham Officer Todd Gagnon responded to a report about a man who stole liquor from Hannaford supermarket in Gorham about 5:30 p.m. Sunday. After getting a description of the man’s vehicle from a Hannaford employee, Gagnon pursued the vehicle east on New Portland Road toward Westbrook.
Police said the driver did not stop when Gagnon caught up with him. In Westbrook, the driver turned onto William Clarke Drive and avoided spike mats and a roadblock by Westbrook police. Police said he traveled into Sagamore Village in Portland, where he went off the road, nearly hitting a sign and still refusing to stop.
Then, police said, the driver went onto Brighton Avenue and Riverside Street before getting on the Maine Turnpike heading south. The car then switched directions at exit 47 and headed north where, police said, the vehicle’s speed exceeded 100 mph. Before exit 52, police said, the vehicle used a crossover to change direction again, and then appeared to have mechanical trouble.
The driver then “bailed out” while the vehicle was still moving. Neves was then taken into custody by Gorham’s Sgt. Mike Nault.
Sanborn said Neves didn’t resist arrest once he was confronted.
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