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A U-Haul truck reported stolen from an Auburn business, right, led authorities on a chase reaching speeds topping 90 mph in February before a collision with a FedEx delivery van, police say, shown here in this file photo. The driver, Ronald R. Hinkley, has been indicted by a Kennebec County grand jury on charges related to the chase and receiving stolen property. Photo courtesy of the Winthrop Police Department

AUGUSTA — A Monmouth man who allegedly crashed a stolen U-Haul truck into a FedEx van while being chased by police in Winthrop was indicted by a grand jury on several charges.

A U-Haul truck reported stolen Feb. 18 from an Auburn rental facility was reported being driven erratically later that day in Winthrop. Paul Ferland, chief of Winthrop and Monmouth police, came across it as he was on his way home from work, driving east on U.S. Route 202 near Charlie’s Chevrolet.

Ferland attempted to stop the vehicle, which police later determined was driven by Ronald R. Hinkley Jr., 25, of Monmouth, near the intersection of U.S. 202 and Main Street. Ferland said the vehicle initially slowed like it might stop for him, then took off.

Ferland and another officer chased the truck for about six minutes exceeding speeds of 90 mph on U.S. 202 and onto Winthrop Center Road, also known as Route 135. Hinkley crashed the U-Haul about 3 miles down Winthrop Center Road, striking a FedEx delivery van as it was making a left turn into a private driveway at 1072 Route 135, ending the chase.

Both vehicles were totaled, police said, but no serious injuries were reported. Hinkley was arrested, as was a passenger, Robert Hermanson, 31, of Warren, who was arrested on warrants, police said.

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Hinkley was indicted by a Kennebec County grand jury in April on charges of eluding an officer, receiving stolen property, criminal speed, violation of condition of release, and two counts of aggravated criminal mischief. The most serious charge, the Class B felony count of receiving stolen property, is punishable by up to 10 years in prison.

Hinkley was previously charged with stealing cash, medical marijuana and a video camera from a Monmouth home in 2018.

He pleaded guilty to burglary and theft charges in that case and was sentenced to pay $3,640 in restitution and serve an initial 76 days behind bars. The homeowner’s surveillance system showed images of Hinkley’s truck coming up the driveway, and of Hinkley inside the home, police said.

 

Keith Edwards covers the city of Augusta and courts in Kennebec County, writing feature stories and covering breaking news, local people and events, and local politics. He has worked at the Kennebec Journal...

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