Stolen vehicle recovered

11 years ago

    MONTICELLO, Maine — A 23-year-old Houlton man was charged with taking a 2006 Dodge pickup from a North Street residence and later being involved in a hit-and-run incident.
According to Sgt. Joshua Haines of the Maine State Police, at about 2:45 p.m. a hit and run crash was reported on Route 1 in Monticello.
Upon investigation, police discovered James Keaton, 23, of Houlton was traveling south on Route 1 when he attempted to pass a vehicle driven by John Stevens, 54, of Millinocket. Keaton struck Stevens’ mirror causing damage to both vehicles.
Keaton failed to stop after the incident and continued onto side streets in Monticello before Stevens finally confronted him. Keaton left shortly after contact was made without providing any information to Stevens.
Maine State Police Trooper Nick Casavant stopped Keaton on Route 1 in Houlton. A registration for Keaton’s vehicle was obtained and police learned it had been reported stolen earlier in the day by the Houlton Police Department.
The vehicle belonged to Jeff Pickering.
Keaton’s license to drive was found to be under suspension and admitted to taking the vehicle without permission. After further investigation, Keaton was arrested by Trooper Casavant for leaving the scene of an attended vehicle accident and transported to Aroostook County Jail. He was also charged with operating after suspension.
Houlton Police Department responded to the scene and summonsed Keaton for unauthorized use of a motor vehicle.
Lt. John Cote of the Maine State Police as well as Border Patrol and Houlton Police Department assisted Trooper Casavant at the scene. Both vehicles were operable and nobody involved in the crash was injured.