A man was arrested early Sunday morning after he allegedly fled police two separate times in Winthrop and Manchester, and was found to be in possession of stolen goods that included firearms, chainsaws and alcohol, as well as the vehicle he was driving.

Albert Depietro, 32, a Waterville transient, was arrested in West Gardiner some time after 6:05 a.m. on Sunday, after he allegedly led police on two separate vehicle chases, one in Winthrop and the other from Manchester to West Gardiner, said Frank Hatch, a staff sergeant in the Kennebec County Sheriff’s Office, in a news release Sunday night.

Police charged Depietro with criminal speeding, operating after suspension, possession of a firearm by a prohibited person, eluding, refusing to submit to arrest, burglary, felony theft, criminal mischief and felony authorized use of a vehicle.

Winthrop police first pursued Depietro sometime between Saturday night and Sunday morning.

Then, around 6:05 a.m. Sunday, a deputy from the Kennebec County Sheriff’s Office again tried to stop Depietro in the vicinity of Pond Road in Manchester after receiving a complaint that he appeared to be under the influence of a substance, and learning about the earlier pursuit in Winthrop, Hatch said. But police say Depietro kept driving down Pond Road, entering West Gardiner. He then stopped the vehicle at West Road and continued on foot, Hatch said.

He was arrested after Maine State Police brought a dog to assist with the search. Two other police departments, Winthrop and Hallowell, sent officers to help.

Hatch said Depietro’s vehicle was reported stolen from Waterville, and a variety of objects in his car had allegedly been taken from a Readfield business, including chainsaws, oils, tools, alcohol and a firearm, Hatch said.

Police also arrested Samantha Bass, 20, a transient, who was a passenger in the car with Depietro, on charges of felony theft, burglary and unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, Hatch said.


Only subscribers are eligible to post comments. Please subscribe or login first for digital access. Here’s why.

Use the form below to reset your password. When you've submitted your account email, we will send an email with a reset code.

filed under: