Five arrested after car chase

A high-speed car chase through three counties and Baltimore ended with the arrest of five men on charges of theft and malicious destruction of property early Sunday.

Police said they received a call about 2:30 a.m. of the attempted theft of a stereo system from a car parked in Sykesville. About five minutes later, officers saw a speeding 1991 Pontiac Firebird on Route 32 and tried to stop it.

State troopers and Sykesville police followed the fleeing vehicle south on Route 32, east on Route 70, south on Interstate 695 and north on Interstate 95 into Baltimore at speeds sometimes exceeding 100 mph, according to state police.

Police said the Firebird turned south on Route 2 and was stopped on Ritchie Highway at Fourth Street. The chase covered 50 miles in 24 minutes. There were no injuries.

Duane Martin Brewer, 19, of Marriottsville, identified as the driver, also faces traffic charges.

He was released after posting bond, as were Don Louis Barker, 22, of Havre de Grace and Richard Karopchinsky, 19, of Baltimore.

Richard A. Shrout, 22, and David A. Park, both from Baltimore, remained in the Carroll detention center.

Woman is accused of making bomb threats

A 28-year-old Ellicott City woman was arrested yesterday and held on $10,000 bond on two counts of making bomb threats and two counts of telephone misuse.

Debra Jane Thurman of the 9700 block of Hillsmere Road is accused of telephoning twice May 25, saying bombs had been placed in a Carroll County courthouse and were set to explode in a short time.

Police said Ms. Thurman was due in court May 25 on other charges.