A Fort Fairfield man is in custody after leading police on a high speed chase from Caribou to Presque Isle.

Caribou Police Department
Caribou Police Department
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The chase began shortly after 6:30 Tuesday evening when Caribou police spotted a 1999 white Chrysler minivan  turning onto Main Street that had been reported stolen from the Caribou Nursing Home.  Sgt. Mark Gahagan turned on the blue lights but the driver refused to stop, according to the Caribou Police Department.

Sgt. Gahagan pursued the vehicle onto the West Presque Isle Road. Presque Isle police laid down a spike mat on the McBurnie Road, but the stolen van drove through and continued into Presque Isle.

Police say the suspect eventually drove the van into a ditch on Mechanic Street, near the Northern Maine Forum. He then reportedly took off on foot into the woods. Sgt. Gahagan and Officer Kevin Reed of the Presque Isle Police Department apprehended the suspect a short time later near an abandoned airstrip.

21-year-old Dustin Badger of Fort Fairfield was charged with several felony crimes, including Theft, Aggravated Criminal Mischief, Refusing to Stop for a Law Enforcement Officer, Operating After Suspension, Reckless Conduct and Violation of Conditional Release.

Caribou, Presque Isle and State police worked together to capture the suspect.

Badger's arraignment date is set for October 31st, 2013.

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