Two arrested in connection with three high-speed chases and multiple vehicle thefts

4 years ago

This story will be updated.

MADAWASKA LAKE, Maine — The Maine State Police and Aroostook County Sheriff’s Office have arrested Britteny Finley and Brandon Lane, who allegedly led officers in both departments on three high-speed chases earlier this week. 

Finley and Lane were charged with driving to endanger and eluding a police officer in connection with the chases. They also were charged with burglary and theft by unauthorized use of property in connection with vehicle thefts in multiple towns.

Police have arrested Britteny Finley, 32, above, and Brandon Lane (no photo available), who allegedly led law enforcement on three high-speed chases earlier this week. (Courtesy of Aroostook County Sheriff’s Office)

The first high-speed chase occurred at 6 p.m. Oct. 12, when Deputy Jesse Belanger was patrolling Madawaska Lake on Route 161 and attempted to stop a gold Ford Fusion driven by Finley, 32, of Frenchville. She failed to stop, and led police on a high-speed chase that spanned 7.5 miles and reached speeds of 105 miles per hour. The Ford Fusion, unable to make a turn, went off the road where Finley and Lane ran into the woods. Lane was found, questioned and released, but Finley successfully fled from police.

Shortly after the chase, a farmer in the Cross Lake area reported that his blue Ford F-150 pickup had been stolen out of his barn.

The next night, Maine State Police attempted to stop Lane, who was allegedly driving a vehicle stolen from Caribou, on Route 1 in Littleton. He led the troopers on a chase, driving south, and went off the road after trying to turn at a high speed. Troopers arrested him shortly afterward, and took him to Aroostook County Jail.

On Wednesday, the Maine State Police received another report of a stolen vehicle — a Buick Park Avenue in Littleton. A trooper in Mars Hill found the vehicle, which they said was being operated by Finley. Another high-speed chase ensued.

This time, the Presque Isle Police Department deployed spike strips just south of the city, which deflated all four of the vehicle’s tires. Finley tried to run away on foot, but police caught up with her and she was arrested.

Both Lane and Finley are suspects of several vehicle thefts in Madawaska, Cross Lake, Caribou, Presque Isle and Littleton over the last few days, and are being held at Aroostook County Jail in Houlton.

They will likely be facing additional charges once the investigation is complete, police said.