BANGOR – A Canadian man facing charges in Aroostook County for stealing a car and leading police on a high-speed chase in December was charged Thursday in U.S. District Court with improper entry by an alien.

Kevin Robert Larsen, 34, of Hay River, Northwest Territories, is being held at the Aroostook County Jail on the state charges.

Larsen, who has a long criminal history in Canada, according to court documents, was released from a halfway house Dec. 7, 2006, and shortly after midnight walked across the border to Houlton. He allegedly stole the 2001 Pontiac Grand Prix, which the owner had left running, from the parking lot of the Houlton port of entry.

Maine State Police spotted the vehicle headed south on Interstate 95 near Sherman, according to court documents. Larsen allegedly led troopers on a chase at speeds of more than 100 mph for at least 15 miles before he stopped the car just south of the Medway exit.

Larsen was arrested without further incident. While being taken to the Aroostook County Jail, he allegedly said of his 50-mile jaunt into the United States: “At least I made it across the border and I had a nice car to drive.”

If convicted on the federal charge, he faces up to six months in prison and a fine of up to $5,000. He also could face deportation.

A detention hearing in federal court in Bangor is scheduled for May 14.

Larsen was indicted in January of charges of theft by unauthorized taking and eluding an officer. Depending on the value of the car he allegedly took, he faces five to 10 years in state prison if convicted on the theft charge.