BATH — Police arrested a Michigan man Sunday night following a string of burglaries, a car chase and a leap into the Kennebec River.

Dariahne Thornton, 20, of Detroit, Mich., was arrested on charges of burglary, unauthorized use of property (for a stolen vehicle), driving to endanger, leaving the scene of a property damage accident, and operating without a license.

The arrest followed six residential burglaries reported to Bath Police. The department received the first call on Christmas, and the other five on Sunday. The burglaries occurred in a small section of Bath which includes the 1000 block of Washington Street, Grove and Oak streets, and the 300 block of Front Street.

Items stolen include a laptop, miscellaneous change, gift bags and a television. Police are still compiling a complete list of items stolen.

A Ford Ranger pickup was allegedly stolen by Thornton in one of the Washington Street burglaries.

On Sunday at 5:14 p.m. Bath Police responded to a residential alarm in the 300 block of Front Street, where they found a door kicked in. Officer Michelle Small and her K9, Keylo, found no one after checking the house, so they began a track on Front Street.

Prior burglary reports and the potential of the suspect being in the area prompted the department to request assistance from the Sagadahoc County Sheriff’s Department, from which Cpl. Adam Baker and Deputy Adam Temple responded.

As Temple drove north on Front Street, the stolen truck passed him heading in the opposite direction, nearly striking Small and Keylo as they continued their track.

Temple followed the vehicle south on Front Street, at which point it struck a light post and two vehicles before stopping near Broad Street. Thornton then escaped the vehicle on foot, running to Waterfront Park and jumping into the Kennebec River, according to police. Temple was able to secure and arrest him without incident.

Thornton’s bail was set at $5,000. He was being held at the Two Bridges Regional Jail in Wiscasset as of Monday.

Police continue to investigate the case and said Thornton is likely connected to all the burglaries reported to them, and that additional charges are probable.

Alex Lear can be reached at 373-9060 ext. 113 or alear@theforecaster.net.