2 men remain jailed after high-speed chase

BANGOR – The men who led police on a high-speed chase over the weekend while holding an empty cash register remained in Penobscot County Jail on Monday after making their first appearance in 3rd District Court.

Driver Austin Fullerton, 22, of Dixmont was charged with eluding an officer, Penobscot County Assistant District Attorney James Diehl said Monday after bail was set at $5,000 cash or $10,000 surety.

Fullerton also is being held on a probation violation related to a burglary conviction and other charges in Somerset County.

Passenger Michael Ely, 20, of Plymouth also was unable to make bail Monday after being arrested with Fullerton on outstanding warrants stemming from theft and burglary charges. Ely’s bail was set at $350 in 3rd District Court in Bangor.

Probable cause hearings for the pair are scheduled to be held on April 13 in Bangor District Court.

Other charges are expected to be filed, according to Diehl.

The trouble began on Interstate 395 at 12:17 a.m. Sunday when the Maine State Police attempted to pull over Fullerton’s red 1992 Volkswagen for a traffic violation.

Fullerton refused to stop and eventually led police on a chase south on Interstate 95, reaching speeds of 90 to 95 mph, authorities said. He finally was stopped when he drove over spike mats that police put out just before the Carmel-Winterport exit to Route 69. The cash register was from the Holiday Inn on Main Street in Bangor.

Two female minors who were riding in the car were not arrested or charged.