High-speed chase ends in arrest of Bangor man

A Bangor man was arrested early Tuesday morning after stealing a car, allegedly robbing a convenience store and leading police on a high-speed chase that ended in Hermon.

Michael Smith, 22, of Bangor lost control of the stolen vehicle he was driving and crashed into a telephone pole in Hermon, narrowly missing a nearby residence, according to Bangor police.

Smith was charged with criminal speeding, driving without a license and unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, police said.

James Parent had left his 1996 Dodge Intrepid unlocked and running in his driveway on Deer Isle Road in Bangor, according to police. After 15-20 minutes, Parent went outside to find that the car had been stolen and reported the incident to Bangor police at about 1:30 a.m.

A short time later, police were notified that a security alarm had gone off at Seamus’ Store at the corner of Finson Road and Blue Hill East.

Bangor police officers Wade Betters, Brad Hanson and Dennis Townsend responded to the alarm, believing that the stolen vehicle might be involved.

Approaching from outer Union Street, Officer Betters turned right onto Davis Road and spotted the stolen vehicle coming toward him.

When Officer Betters turned around to pursue the vehicle, the driver sped up. The vehicle slowed slightly at the intersection of Davis Road and Union Street, but did not stop.

After proceeding into oncoming traffic and narrowly missing a snow bank, the vehicle raced up Union Street toward Hermon.

After it reached a speed of 95 mph, Officer Betters saw the car brake at the top of Hermon Hill. By the time the officer reached the top of the hill, he said the vehicle had disappeared.

Officer Betters spotted a path going off the road and “through [a] telephone pole.” The officer approached the vehicle, but found no one inside. Smith had fled several feet into the woods and was found lying in the snow. His face was bloody and he was not wearing shoes.

Smith told police he was only a passenger in the vehicle. However, there was only one set of footprints found leading away from the car and there were no passengers, according to police reports.

After being treated for minor injuries at Eastern Maine Medical Center, Smith was taken to Penobscot County Jail where he remained Tuesday evening.

Smith’s bail was set at $2,040 cash. He is scheduled to appear at Bangor District Court for arraignment Wednesday. Police are still investigating the incident.

Police are still searching for the driver of a vehicle that hit a pedestrian Monday evening in Milford.

The driver of a blue, four-door vehicle backed into Kevin Demmons, 36, as he was crossing the street at the intersection of Route 2 and the Call Road, according to Deputy Sean McCue on Tuesday.

Demmons, who was not seriously injured, told police that the driver of the vehicle had approached the stop sign quickly and after stopping only briefly, attempted to pull out in front of oncoming cars.

The car hesitated, and when the driver realized he was not going to make the turn in time, he attempted to back up. It was at this time that the vehicle hit Demmons, who was crossing the street behind the car, according to McCue.

Demmons and the driver exchanged heated words and vulgarities and then the driver sped away, according to McCue.

“There’s not a lot to go on, but we’re still pursuing it,” McCue said Tuesday.

Police are searching for a blue, four-door car of unknown make and model. Demmons told police that the vehicle “skips” and “hesitates.”

– Compiled by NEWS reporter Aimee Dolloff