ELLSWORTH – An Iowa man driving with a suspended license led police on a high-speed chase through four towns early Tuesday morning, according to officials.

Ellsworth police Officer Daniel Owens stopped a car on Route 1A in north Ellsworth just after 2 a.m. on suspicion that the driver did not have a valid license, Lt. Harold Page said Tuesday.

Owens spoke briefly with the driver, Douglas Sorenson, 48, of Burlington, Iowa, before Sorenson abruptly drove away.

“He just put it in gear and took off,” Page said.

Owens and another officer, Shawn Willey, followed Sorenson north on Route 1A through Ellsworth, Dedham, Holden and finally Brewer, with speeds reaching nearly 100 mph, the lieutenant said.

“We called ahead for assistance and Brewer [police] set up a spike mat near the on-ramp to I-395,” Page said. “He went over the mat, which disabled the vehicle, and ended up pulling over on the ramp.”

Sorenson was arrested on charges of eluding an officer, driving to endanger, operating after suspension and criminal speeding. He was taken to Hancock County Jail early Tuesday morning.

A female passenger was not charged.

Page said he was surprised when he learned Sorenson had not been drinking.

“As far as these things go, it worked out well. There was no damage, nobody was hurt and the whole thing only took 15 minutes,” he said.

Page said Sorenson and the woman had been staying in the Blue Hill area but he didn’t know for how long.

Sorenson likely will appear in court later this week.

erussell@bangordailynews.net

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