Auburn Man Charged After 120 MPH Chase and Cocaine Seizure

Auburn Man Charged After 120 MPH Chase and Cocaine Seizure

by

An Auburn man is facing multiple charges after a high-speed chase through Maine highways ended with the discovery of several pounds of what investigators believe is cocaine, WMTW reported.

Lawz Lepenn, 44, was taken into custody following a chase that reached speeds of 120 mph, according to authorities. The incident began just after midnight on Tuesday morning when a deputy from the Sagadahoc County Sheriff’s Office spotted a vehicle traveling 90 miles per hour on the northbound side of Interstate 295 near Exit 37 in Bowdoinham.

During the initial stop, the deputy identified Lepenn and learned the man was already on probation for aggravated drug trafficking. When a Topsham Police Department K-9 team arrived on the scene and instructed Lepenn to exit the vehicle, he drove off, initiating the pursuit.

The chase moved north on I-295, with speeds climbing to 120 mph. To stop the vehicle, Maine State Police deployed spike strips near Exit 109 on Interstate 95 in Augusta.

Lepenn drove over the spikes but continued for approximately one mile before his vehicle became disabled. The pursuing deputy was also forced to stop the chase after hitting the spike strip.

Auburn airport aerial view

After the vehicle stopped, Lepenn fled into the woods. Police utilized a drone to track his movement and eventually located him running near the Augusta State Airport, where he was taken into custody.

A subsequent search of the bag revealed more than three pounds of a substance that preliminary testing identified as cocaine HCl.

Lepenn faces charges of aggravated trafficking of scheduled drugs and eluding a police officer. He was transported to the Two Bridges Regional Jail in Wiscasset, where he is being held without bail due to a probation violation.

A court appearance is scheduled for Thursday, when Lepenn is expected to be arraigned on the charges.

Related reading

Read next