A morning traffic enforcement stop, May 5, turned into a high-speed pursuit and crash, leading to the arrest of a Warren man driving a stolen vehicle.
Androscoggin County Sheriff’s Deputy Lance Neal observed a black SUV traveling northbound on Maine Street (Route 26) at a high rate of speed. When Deputy Neal attempted to initiate a traffic stop, the driver accelerated and refused to pull over. The vehicle turned onto Aggregate Road and continued onto Poland Corner Road, where the operator lost control near 106 Poland Corner Road.
The SUV struck and broke a utility pole before coming to rest in a wooded area. The driver fled on foot into the woods but was quickly apprehended by responding officers. He was identified as Isaiah Strong-Gassama, 28, of Warren. Strong-Gassama sustained minor injuries and was transported to Central Maine Medical Center for treatment before being booked into the Androscoggin County Jail.
The vehicle was later confirmed stolen from a local car dealership. Authorities initially believed there might be a second occupant, but further investigation determined Strong-Gassama was the sole person in the vehicle.
No other injuries were reported.
Poland Corner Road between Northern Springs Drive and Plains Road was closed for several hours while crews repaired the damaged utility pole.
The incident remains under investigation by the Androscoggin County Sheriff’s Office.
A Maine man is accused of crashing a stolen SUV while fleeing from police in Poland. https://t.co/03WuYq6ofZ
— CBS 13 News (@WGME) May 6, 2026
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