Portland man charged after brief police chase, fiery parking lot crash

Portland Man Arrested After Fleeing Crash and Car Fire in Old Port

A 28‑year‑old Portland driver was taken into custody Sunday night after a white sedan fled a collision on Deering Avenue, chased by police, and then crashed into a One Portland Square parking lot, where the vehicle burst into flames.

Police first received a call just before 8:00 p.m. that a white sedan had been involved in a crash on Deering Avenue. Officers located the vehicle near Mellen Street and attempted to stop the driver, but the car accelerated, prompting a brief pursuit. The chase was halted in the Old Port when officers said safety concerns required them to end the pursuit.

“The sedan headed toward Mellen Street, with an officer attempting to stop it and briefly pursuing it before ending the chase in the Old Port because of safety concerns,” a police spokesperson said.

Shortly thereafter the sedan struck a parking lot at the corner of Fore and Cross streets at One Portland Square. The impact caused the car to ignite. Police later described the fire as “engulfed in flames.”

When officers searched the area between Commercial and Fore streets, they found the driver attempting to flee on foot. He was quickly apprehended and taken into custody at the scene.

The suspect faces multiple charges, including eluding an officer, refusing to submit to arrest, driving to endanger, and several traffic violations such as failure to stop and failure to report a crash. Police also indicated that the man was wanted on an outstanding warrant, though the department has not released the specific charges tied to that warrant.

“No one was transported to the hospital for injuries after either of the two crashes,” spokesperson Brad Nadeau told reporters.

The investigation is ongoing. Police are asking anyone with information to contact the Portland Police Department at 207‑874‑8575, or to text “PPDME” to 847‑411. The department remains the lead agency on the incident.