Presque Isle Man Arrested After High Speed Chase in Fort Fairfield

A Presque Isle man faces numerous felony charges including possession of bath salts after leading police on a high speed chase in Fort Fairfield.

At 3:35 Friday afternoon, Fort Fairfield police received a notification from the Presque Isle Police Department of a stolen vehicle.

Minutes later, Fort Fairfield Police Chief William Campbell spotted the pickup truck on the Houlton Road in the Maple Grove area. Campbell said he attempted to stop the vehicle, but the driver sped off down the Bryant Pond Road. The pursuit continued on Forest Avenue at speeds reaching 80 miles per hour in a 45 mile per hour zone.

Chief Campbell was able to stop the truck shortly before reaching downtown Fort Fairfield and arrested the driver, 29-year-old Samuel Mathers of Presque Isle.

Mathers was charged with eluding a police officer, driving to endanger, operating under the influence of drugs, possession of drug paraphernalia, and possession of synthetic hallucinogens, namely bath salts.

The Presque Isle Police Department also charged Mathers with unauthorized use of property for allegedly stealing his father’s pickup truck in Presque Isle.

His bail was set at $2,500 cash or $10,000 surety. Mathers was unable to make bail and was transported to the Caribou Police Department where he is being held pending a bail hearing.

Maine State Police and Presque Isle Police assisted the Fort Fairfield Police Department.