PORTLAND, Maine — Police were led on a high-speed chase Sunday on Interstate 95 by a woman who was operating a stolen police cruiser, a news release from the South Portland Police Department said.
Shortly after 11 p.m., South Portland police responded to a report of a disturbance in the area of 350 Clarks Pond Parkway, according to the release.
When police arrived at the scene, a man fled on foot while a woman was found near a vehicle, police said.
Police determined the vehicle was stolen during a residential burglary in Biddeford earlier on Sunday. The vehicle reportedly contained multiple stolen items, according to the release.
The woman, identified as 29-year-old Alexis N. Irving was detained by police in connection with the burglary and being in possession of the stolen vehicle, the release stated. Irving was placed in the back of a South Portland police cruiser, police said.
As police continued their investigation into the incident, Irving "was able to loosen her restraints, climb through a small partition separating the back seat and front, seat herself in the driver’s seat, and drive off in the police cruiser," the release said.
In the police cruiser, Irving fled the scene and drove southbound on I-95, according to police.
The stolen police cruiser was tracked with GPS to the Biddeford area, and Biddeford police were able to locate the vehicle at a residence, the release stated.
Irving reportedly exited the vehicle and fled inside the residence, but she was found and placed under arrest shortly after, police said.
There was no damage to the police cruiser.
Police later located the man who fled the scene when officers first arrived. Wesley A. Fournell, 47, was charged with the following, according to the release:
- Receiving stolen property (Class C)
- Unauthorized use of a motor vehicle (Class C)
- Two counts of violation of conditions of release
- Possession of Schedule W drugs
- Criminal mischief (Class C)
According to police, Irving was charged with the following:
- Unauthorized use of property (Class C)
- Receiving stolen property (Class C)
- Two counts of theft by unauthorized taking (Class B)
- Reckless conduct with dangerous weapon (Class C)
- Escape (Class D)
- Refusing to submit to arrest or detention
- Operating after suspension
- Criminal speed
- OUI (DRE-1 prior)
- Several civil traffic infractions violations