UPDATE: Zachary Gilbert, 18, of Rockland, remains in jail after he was arrested for stealing $40,000 with other juvenile suspects from a vehicle in Rockland.

Gilbert made his initial court appearance in Knox County Court March 10 where his bail was set at $5,000 cash with no third-party bail allowed.

He is charged with two counts of theft, burglary of a motor vehicle and two counts of violating a condition of release. At the time of his arrest, he was out on five sets of bail conditions from prior criminal charges.

Police apprehended Gilbert at a Thomaston hotel after they obtained a search warrant. The male juvenile suspects also stayed at two other hotels in Rockland after the theft, according to the affidavit filed in court by Rockland Police.

Police said that Gilbert had spent some of his portion of the stolen money on a Chime card to pay for online gambling, stays at local hotels with food and beverage deliveries, and purchases at Walmart.

One of the suspects has returned his portion of the stolen money to the victim. Police said they encouraged Gilbert to return any of the money he had remaining.

Police confirmed that Gilbert and the juvenile suspects knew that the money, all in $100 bills, was stored in the vehicle. The vehicle was unlocked although the money was locked in a center console in the front seat, according to the affidavit.

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ROCKLAND – An 18-year-old Rockland man was arrested by Rockland Police for allegedly stealing $40,000 with other teen suspects from a vehicle in Rockland. 

Zachary Gilbert was arrested on felony theft and violation of conditions of release. At the time of his arrest, Gilbert was out on five sets of conditions of release from prior criminal charges, according to a press release issued by Rockland Police March 10 on their Facebook page.

Police said that on Feb. 19, they began an investigation into the theft of approximately $40,000 from a vehicle in Rockland. They believe the victim was targeted given the large amount of unsecured money.

During the investigation, Rockland Police Detectives conducted numerous interviews with suspects, witnesses and executed search warrants on residences and hotels in Thomaston, Warren, and Owls Head.

Rockland Police have also charged one juvenile with felony theft and currently have charges pending/warrants for four more juvenile suspects.

Rockland Police would like to thank the Thomaston Police and the Knox County Sheriff’s Office who assisted with the search warrants.

This investigation is still ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Jordan Jandreau at JJandreau@RocklandMaine.Gov.

Gilbert is scheduled to make his initial court appearance on the new charges in Knox County Court on Monday afternoon, March 10.

Reach Sarah Shepherd at news@penbaypilot.com