Central Maine Man Arrested After Crashing Stolen Vehicle

A Friday morning incident led to the arrest of a man from Canton, Maine.

According to a press release from the Maine Department of Public Safety's Shannon Moss, at just after 9 AM on Friday (July 14th), a Maine State Police trooper spotted a black Jeep Renegade that had reportedly just stolen fuel from a gas station in Richmond.

The trooper attempted to stop the vehicle, but it sped off south on I-295 near Brunswick.  The trooper pursued the vehicle for about five miles before the driver's erratic behavior caused the trooper to end the pursuit over safety concerns.

The driver continued on, at a high rate of speed, for another few miles before he crashed the jeep into another vehicle.  That crash happened at mile marker 17 and did not cause any serious injuries.  However, the two people in the other vehicle were transported to the hospital with minor injuries.

Dame reportedly traveled on to mile marker 11 before he abandoned the reportedly stolen vehicle.

The suspect, 32 year old Shawn Dame, of Canton, exited the vehicle and ran into the woods.

The press release goes on to say:

Dame fled into the woods and made it to Hamilton Marine on Presumpscot Street in Portland where he ran into the bathroom to call a cab. Employees at the store called police. Portland Police Officers responded and arrested Dame and transported him to the Cumberland County Jail.

Dame has been charged with several crimes, including Eluding, Driving to Endanger, Exceeding the Speed Limit by 30 MPH or More, Leaving the Scene of a Personal Injury Crash, and Operating After Suspension.

There is no word on when he will appear in court.

*All suspects are considered innocent until found guilty in a court of law*