WARREN — A pickup truck, stolen from a store in Searsmont Thursday afternoon and later spotted by a volunteer firefighter in Appleton, was recovered in Warren last night following a multi-agency chase.

Knox County Chief Deputy Tim Carroll said the white Ford F-350 pickup truck was taken from Fraternity Village General store and Waldo County Sheriff's Deputy Arthur Smith was en route to investigate when the vehicle was observed traveling south on Route 131 toward Appleton.

Knox County Sheriff's Deputy Lance Mitchell headed to Appleton around 5:30 p.m., after being told that an Appleton firefighter was behind the truck headed toward Union and on the phone with 911. Carroll said the firefighter maintained a safe distance behind the truck and kept Knox County Regional Communications Center informed of its location. Meanwhile, other Knox County Sheriff's units were headed in that direction to attempt to intercept them.

The truck traveled down Route 235 toward Warren, and then turned east onto Route 90 before turning south again onto Oyster River Road (Route 131).

"At this point, another volunteer firefighter, from Warren, also assisted responding units with information about the truck's location," said Carroll.

Thomaston Police Sgt. Tim Hoppe was also called to assist and he was able to get behind the truck and attempt to stop it. But the truck ultimately turned into a driveway and Carroll said both the male driver and a female passenger exited and fled into nearby woods.

"After a brief foot chase, Stg. Hoppe was able to arrest the driver, and deputies Mitchell and Nathaniel Jack tracked the female passenger through the woods and eventually back to the road, where she was located and placed under arrest," said Carroll in a press release.

Carroll said the driver, Jason Whalen, 34, of Rockland, was charged with theft by unauthorized taking, operating after suspension and refusing to submit to arrest. He also had two active warrants. The passenger was identified as Hilary Long, 27, also of Rockland. She was charged with theft by unauthorized taking and had one active arrest warrant.