Kentucky man held on $20G bail after car chase involving three police departments

Joshua Burton in 2017 photo (WAVE 3 News/ Justin Hawkins)

YORK, Maine - Police say a Kentucky man stole a car from a convenience store parking lot on Saturday morning with the vehicle owner's dog still inside.

York Police responded to Mr. Mike's on Route 1 around 9:45 a.m. where the vehicle owner told them he'd left the keys and his dog in the car while making the quick stop.

Police said the vehicle was spotted in Wells and a high-risk stop was attempted near Chapel Road on Route 1 before the male fled with the vehicle after pulling over briefly. Police said after taking off, the vehicle reached unsafe and reckless speeds with evasive maneuvers to elude officers. The chase continued into Kennebunk in the area of Hall Street, about 5.5 miles before striking another vehicle and rolling over, police said.

A high-risk stop was performed and the male was arrested without incident, police said.

The suspect and two occupants of the other vehicle were taken to Maine Medical Center with injuries. The dog took off from the car immediately following the crash.

The suspect refused to identify himself, but Maine State Police assisted in confirming his identity as Joshua Burton, 27, of Louisville.

Burton was arrested on felony charges issued by the three town police departments involved including theft, eluding and reckless conduct with a dangerous weapon and reckless conduct.

Burton is being held on $20,000 cash bail and will be arraigned on all charges on Monday.

There was no information available on the whereabouts of the dog.