A group of five teenagers was arrested on Monday after they allegedly led police on a multi-town chase in a stolen vehicle linked to a series of cannabis dispensary break-ins and threw motor oil on a Waldo County Sheriff’s Department deputy.
[RELATED: Lisbon Cannabis Shop Burglary Involving Stolen Car Mirrors Similar Break-Ins in Turner…]
At approximately 7:08 a.m., the Kennebec County Sheriff’s Department responded to a request for backup from their Waldo counterparts after a Waldo deputy stopped a Black 2023 Toyota Rav 4.
The vehicle had been involved in burglaries across Hancock County at cannabis and smoke shops. During those incidents, suspects allegedly wore masks and smashed windows with a sledgehammer before fleeing with stolen merchandise.
After being pulled over, the suspects allegedly threw motor oil on the Waldo deputy before fleeing towards Kennebec County at speeds over 100mph.
The vehicle, occupied by five male suspects, was seen turning onto Lakeview Drive in China, where it allegedly hit a spike mat.
Despite that, the vehicle reportedly continued traveling at speeds exceeding 110 mph.
Kennebec deputies caught up with the vehicle as it was entering Winslow, but they backed off as the suspects entered more congested traffic.
The suspects allegedly continued into Waterville, where it crashed into another vehicle near Chase Road.
The Waterville Police Department then joined the pursuit, and the vehicle eventually drove off the road on Kennedy Memorial Drive near Inland Hospital.
The suspects then reportedly fled on foot, and all five were captured following a short pursuit and arrested.
During the pursuit, one deputy sustained injuries to his arm that the Kennebec department says will keep him out of work for a while.
The Auburn Police Department contacted the owner of the vehicle, who reportedly confirmed that it had been stolen.
Four of the suspects were identified as juveniles, while one adult, who reportedly initially lied about his identity, was identified as Larando Sweeting, 18, after his mother got on the phone with deputies.
According to Kennebec deputies, the teenagers’ crimes spanned Hancock, Waldo, and Kennebec Counties.
The arrests come just days after a Lisbon Falls cannabis shop was allegedly burglarized by suspects driving a stolen vehicle.
Let me guess, nice Maine boys