Two men charged after burglary in Skowhegan led police on chase

SKOWHEGAN — An Augusta Woman A 16-year-old boy from New York was arrested and charged Tuesday after leading officers on a high-speed chase that began with a report of a burglary, police said.

Matisse Fries Photo courtesy of Somerset prison

Skowhegan Police Department Chief David Bucknam said 42-year-old Matisse Fry, who fled police in his vehicle, was arrested on charges of theft, criminal speed, evading police, failure to appear under arrest or detention and violating conditions of release. A statement released Tuesday evening.

The teenager who was in the car with Fry was charged with burglary, refusal to submit to arrest or detention, making criminal threats with a dangerous weapon and terrorism, Bucknam said.

The incident occurred around 1:45 p.m. Officer Richard Pierce and Cpl. Joshua York responded to a burglary in progress at 26 Pineview Ave. in Skowhegan, Bucknam said.

When two officers responded to the home, they saw someone wearing a hooded sweatshirt get into the passenger seat of a 2022 Nissan Rogue SUV, Bucknam said.

The vehicle then sped off on Philbrick Drive towards Canaan Road, also known as US Route 2. At the intersection of Canaan Road, the passenger jumped out of the vehicle and ran into a wooded area, Bucknam said. The driver of the vehicle, later identified as Fry, turned left and “accelerated to high speeds” eastbound toward Canaan.

Police eventually stopped the vehicle near Lake George Regional Park, located on the town border between Skowhegan and Canaan.

Fry refused to get out of the vehicle but said he had a firearm in the passenger seat, Bucknam said.

“After several attempts to exit, officers went to the driver’s side door and helped him out of the vehicle,” his statement said.

Police found a .357-caliber Smith & Wesson pistol with six bullets in the chamber and a ski mask in the passenger seat, according to Bucknam.

Meanwhile, a Somerset County sheriff’s deputy spotted the 16-year-old jumping from the vehicle on U.S. Route 2 and detained him until Skowhegan police officers arrived, Bucknam said. The identity of the young man was not disclosed due to his age.

Bucknam said the police investigation into the incident involving two “dangerous individuals” was continuing as of Tuesday evening.

“It was a team effort that ended this situation without any injuries,” Bucknam said in a statement, thanking the Somerset County Sheriff’s Office for their assistance.

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