A man who reportedly told police his name was Santa Claus led officers on a lengthy Fourth of July car chase that ended in Bangor, according to multiple Maine media outlets.
Police said the chase began in Fairfield after troopers spotted a vehicle that had been reported stolen from New Hampshire, Bangor CBS affiliate WABI reported.
Maine State Police later identified the driver as Christos Kassaras, 54, of New Hampshire, according to Portland ABC television affiliate WMTW. When the man was apprehended, however, he initially told police his name was Santa Claus, WMTW reported.
The man drove his vehicle over spike strips in Newburgh and continued driving on the rims of his tires, police told WMTW.
Police closed several off ramps to prevent the vehicle from leaving the interstate, but the driver managed to get off on the Broadway exit, where a state police cruiser managed to strike the rear of the fleeing vehicle, stopping the pursuit.
The man was evaluated at a local hospital before being taken to Penobscot County Jail.