Presque Isle Man Arrested Following High Speed Chase
A Presque Isle man is behind bars following a high speed chase Sunday morning that began on Main Street in Presque Isle and ended on Main Street in Caribou.
The Presque Isle Police Department received a complaint around 8:00 a.m. concerning a gas drive off and theft of goods from a store on Main Street. The suspect was identified as 38-year-old George Peaslee. About an hour later, Presque Isle Police officers observed the suspect driving a 2010 Ford Taurus on Parsons Street and initiated a traffic stop.
Trooper Andrew Levesque and Sgt. Jeffrey Clark of the Maine State Police arrived to assist with the traffic stop. Peaslee told the police that he was not going to get out of the vehicle and sped off. Troopers began to pursue the car north on Route 1. State Police say Peaslee was driving in a reckless and dangerous manner at speeds of more than 100 mph at times.
Meanwhile, Caribou Police set up a spike mat and roadblock near the Caribou Inn & Convention Center on Route 1. Police say Peaslee did not stop and struck the spike mat, causing three tires to deflate.
The car turned onto South Main Street in Caribou where Trooper Levesque immediately conducted the PIT maneuver, which immobilized the vehicle and caused it to stop.
Police say Peaslee continued to be uncooperative and refused to get out of his car, so officers broke the windows to remove him from the vehicle. Peaslee was taken to Caribou Police Dept. for processing and then transported to the Aroostook County Jail where he is being held on numerous charges.
Charges from the Presque Isle Police Dept. include Theft, Violation of Conditions of release, Eluding, and Refusing to stop for a law enforcement officer.
Charges from the Maine State Police include Eluding, Driving to Endanger, Criminal Speed, Reckless Conduct, Refusing to submit to arrest, Passing a police roadblock, and Violation of Conditions of release.
Police say Peaslee’s vehicle and Tr. Levesque’s cruiser sustained minor damage, but there were no injuries.