AUBURN, Maine — A Rumford woman is facing multiple charges after leading a state trooper on a chase from Turner to Auburn early Sunday, according to Department of Public Safety spokesman Stephen McCausland.
Trooper Ricci Cote had attempted to pull over Elsa Konopka, 23, for going 29 mph in a 55 mph zone on Route 4, McCausland said.
Konopka subsequently sped away, reaching speeds up to 80 mph, McCausland said.
Konopka also threw a loaded .22-caliber handgun out the window during the chase, McCausland said. He said that the weapon was later recovered.
Cote managed to stop Konopka’s car near the Auburn Mall when the trooper hit her vehicle, causing it to spin out, McCausland said.
A small amount of crack cocaine and a crack pipe were allegedly found inside the car, and Konopka was charged with possession of crack cocaine, failing to stop for a police officer, operating without a license and possession of drug paraphernalia.
She was arrested and taken to the Androscoggin County Jail.
