Meth Suspect Arrested After High Speed Chase in Houlton

An Aroostook County man arrested in a meth bust in Ellsworth last month now faces additional charges after leading police on a high speed chase early Friday in Houlton.

Houlton Police Chief Butch Asselin said that around 2 a.m. Friday, a U.S. Border Patrol unit spotted a Nissan Pathfinder traveling south on the Foxcroft Road at over 80 mph. Officer Theron Bickford of the Houlton Police Department attempted to pull the vehicle over but the driver failed to stop, Asselin said.

The SUV ran a stop sign at an intersection then sped west on Military Street before abruptly making a left turn into the parking lot of Emily’s store.  Asselin said the Nissan continued to the rear of the store, traveled across a lawn and came to an abrupt stop just before striking a garage.

A male suspect, identified as 31-year-old Jesse Sawyer of Linneus, jumped out of the truck and fled into the woods. After a brief pursuit, Officer Bickford apprehended the suspect.

Houlton police later discovered that the truck was loaded with tools and other items allegedly stolen overnight during a series of burglaries on the Wiley Road in Littleton. Estimated value of the property stolen is $10,000.

Sawyer was charged with operating while license suspended or revoked, eluding an officer,  refusing to submit to arrest, theft by receiving stolen property, and violating conditions of release.

Maine State Police are investigating the burglaries in Littleton.

Sawyer was arrested on October 17 in Ellsworth with two others in connection with a mobile meth lab.