MARS HILL, Maine — A man and woman suspected of stealing a vehicle were arrested Thursday morning after attempting to flee an approaching lieutenant from the Aroostook County Sheriff’s Office.
Aroostook County Sheriff Darrell Crandall said that citizens of Mars Hill were also instrumental in helping to capture Robert Helstrom, 29, and Trishia Willette, 24, both of Presque Isle. He credited community members with being aware of their surroundings and picking up their phones to report to police sightings of the duo, who Sheriff’s Office Lt. Ross McQuade first came into contact with just before 7:30 a.m.
According to Crandall, McQuade saw the stolen 1996 Geo Prizm in a parking lot of a convenience store and approached the two suspects on foot.
Helstrom and Willette promptly ran, but the woman was soon caught and taken into custody.
Several additional deputies responded to assist, as did a state trooper and Limestone Police Chief Stacey Mahan, who were in the area, according to the sheriff.
Presque Isle Police also sent their canine unit to the area in case it was needed.
Crandall said that individuals living in the area of Silver Street saw Helstrom running behind their homes and reported his whereabouts to dispatchers in Houlton.
Using that information, deputies narrowed their search to the north end of Silver Street and found Helstrom hiding behind a home.
He was taken into custody without further incident.
Crandall said that Helstrom is on probation for domestic assault.
Willette, he added, was uncooperative and combative and refused to identify herself. Once she arrived at the jail, however, corrections staff had “no trouble” determining her identity, he said Thursday afternoon.
She had just been released from the jail on Jan. 9, for a probation violation. A passport, check and other items that were possibly stolen were taken from her at the jail as well.
Crandall said that both suspects remain at the Aroostook County Jail in Houlton.
For now, the pair is charged with unauthorized use of a motor vehicle. Additional charges may follow.
Deputies turned the recovered vehicle over to the Presque Isle Police Department for processing and eventual return to the owner.
“I want to thank the people of Mars Hill for being aware of their surroundings and being willing to pick up their phones and let us know what they were seeing,” said Crandall.” It made this pursuit far less time consuming and safer for all involved. We have come to expect this kind of cooperation and assistance from our neighbors here in Aroostook County, and we place great value on that relationship.”