A driver behind the wheel of a stolen car led police on a high-speed chase through Windham that ended at Whites Bridge Road when police deployed a spike mat.

Police took Philip Audet, 28, of Cumberland Avenue in Portland, into custody after Windham police were notified by OnStar, the car security company, that a 2013 Chevrolet Cruze reported stolen in Portland was headed west on Route 302 just before 10 p.m.

Police tried to pull over the car near the traffic circle at Route 202 but Audet accelerated, reaching speeds of 70 or 80 mph, police said.

A deputy with the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office deployed a spike mat ahead of the car, which deflated its tires.

Audet was charged with driving under the influence, theft, driving without a license, driving to endanger, eluding police and criminal speed.

Police issued Audet a summons to appear in court and he was immediately taken to a local hospital because he told police he had ingested heroin just before he was apprehended, police said.

Some motorists who were uninvolved in the chase also drove over the spike mats and had their tires damaged, police said.

Windham Lt. David DeGruchy said the people whose tires were damaged were communicating with the county about reimbursement, but that the two agencies would discuss responsibility at some point in the future.


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