Maine Man Arrested in New York After a Pursuit Ends in a Crash

A Maine man is facing charges after leading New York Police on a high-speed chase and crashing his vehicle.

Who's the Suspect?

Jose D. Rodriguez-Arriaga, 29, of Biddeford, Maine was arrested in upstate New York on February 28th, 2024.

How Long Was the High-Speed Chase?

The incident began when a Border Patrol Agent tried to pull over Rodriguez-Arriaga's vehicle in Westville, New York in an area near where three Mexican nationals were apprehended earlier in the day. There's no word on whether Rodriguez-Arriaga had anything to do with the situation. WPTZ-TV reports the suspect allegedly assaulted an agent and then took off. New York State Police were notified that Customs and Border Patrol agents were looking for a bluish-gray or grayish-blue 2018 Dodge Durango. Border Patrol officials told police the vehicle had Maine license plates, a Texas registration, and broken windows.

READ MORE: Maine Police Say Suspects in $9K Theft are Wanted in Other States

New York State Police picked up the chase in the town of Duane and it continued for 30 miles, through several towns. The pursuit finally ended when Rodriguez-Arriaga flipped the SUV near Upper Saranac Lake while trying to negotiate a sharp curve. No one was hurt in the crash.

What Charges Does He Face?

According to the Adirondack Daily Enterprise, Rodriguez-Arriaga was taken into custody and charged with third-degree unlawful fleeing a police officer, issued a court appearance ticket, and released into CBP custody.

It's not clear, at this point, whether he faces any additional charges from Customs and Border Patrol.

We'll update this story as more details become available.