An Auburn man was arrested Sunday in connection with a series of alleged robberies at three churches in southern Maine.
A woman called 911 at 10:07 a.m. from a church parking lot at 213 Federal Road in Parsonsfield, saying a male threatened to kill her and said he had a firearm, which was not displayed, according to the Maine Department of Public Safety.
The suspect left in a 2011 silver Subaru, almost striking a pedestrian as it headed east toward Cornish, Maine Department of Public Safety spokesperson Shannon Moss stated in a news release.
At about 10:30 a.m., Maine State Police Sgt. Daniel Hanson was flagged down on Route 25 in Cornish by a person who said the suspect pulled a gun on him and demanded his wallet in the parking lot of a church in Cornish, Moss stated.
At about 11:20 a.m., it was reported that the suspect entered a church in Baldwin, Moss said. There, he allegedly took money from the offering plate and grabbed a woman’s purse before running away.
Cumberland County sheriff’s deputies found the alleged suspect’s vehicle near Bliss Road in Baldwin and began a chase leading to Route 107, Moss stated.
The chase headed south on Route 107 toward Route 25 before the alleged suspect turned around and proceeded north.
State police intercepted the pursuit on Route 107 in Baldwin.
“During the pursuit, the suspect was seen waving a firearm inside his vehicle,” Moss stated. “He also intentionally swerved his vehicle at other vehicles on Route 107. Fortunately, no other vehicles were hit and no one was injured.”
Hanson – the officer flagged down in Cornish – was able to use his police cruiser to drive the suspect’s vehicle off the road and into a field.
The alleged suspect ran, but “was quickly located and taken into custody,” Moss stated. “He was transported to Bridgton Hospital for evaluation. Upon his release from Bridgton Hospital, he will be transported to York County Jail.”
The alleged suspect is identified as Connor McGlone, 27, of Auburn, previously of New Hampshire, Moss said.
McGlone had warrants at the time for robbery, theft and a probation revocation at the time of Sunday’s incident. McGlone has also been charged with two counts of robbery, and additional charges are expected, Moss stated.
Anyone who had close contact with the suspect’s vehicle during the chase is asked to contact Sgt. Dan Hanson at (207) 624-7076.
Bridgton police assisted in the pursuit and apprehension.