HOULTON, Maine — A Weston man faced multiple charges after he allegedly fled a traffic stop in Houlton.
According to Houlton Police Chief Tim DeLuca, the incident occurred on Thursday, Dec. 5, after police received a bulletin from a car dealership in Newport. The alert alleged that a black 2018 Dodge Durango had been stolen from the dealership by Courtney M. Welton, 59, of Weston.
The alert also alleged that Welton was headed to Houlton to contact family. Further information indicated that he was in possession of a firearm and had eluded another law enforcement agency earlier that afternoon. Chief DeLuca said that police began directing communications with the Newport Police Department to gather as much information as possible.
Welton was spotted in the Houlton area by Houlton Police Officer Travis Smith, who attempted to get Welton to stop. The driver refused, allegedly fleeing northbound toward Littleton at a high rate of speed.
Houlton Police were assisted by the Maine State Police and the Aroostook County Sheriff’s Office. Visual contact was lost with the suspect vehicle and a perimeter was set up with all agencies, according to DeLuca.
A few moments later, the suspect vehicle was located on the Ingraham Road in Littleton by the State Police. Welton lost control of the vehicle on a snow-covered road that is not plowed during the winter months and was apprehended.
Welton was charged with felony receiving stolen property and eluding an officer, along with misdemeanor driving to endanger, criminal speed and violation of conditions of release.
