ROCKLAND — On Feb. 5 at approximately 2 a.m., Rockland Police responded to the South End of Rockland, where they encountered an intoxicated juvenile in a verbal domestic dispute. It was reported the juvenile had stolen a woman’s cell phone, according to a news release posted on the Rockland Police Department’s Facebook page Feb. 5.

The officers repeatedly requested the juvenile simply return the phone. The juvenile refused and told the officers they were not afraid of assaulting them. The officers took the juvenile into custody for theft, the release said.

During this time, police said the juvenile resisted arrest and assaulted the officers, kicking one of the officers in the face. After being transported to the Rockland Police Department, the juvenile continued to fight and called officers homophobic and racially derogatory names.

The juvenile destroyed city property while at the station and when the officers attempted to control the juvenile, he punched and bit one of the officers in the arm, according to police.

Despite all this, the officers remained calm, professional and used the least force necessary to control the juvenile, police said.

The juvenile was transported to Long Creek Youth Development Center in South Portland and charged with theft, resisting arrest, several counts of assault on an officer and criminal mischief.

The Rockland Police Department would like to thank the Rockport Police Department and the Knox County Sheriff’s Office, who were called to assist with other calls for service in Rockland during this time, including an unrelated physical altercation.

Reach Sarah Shepherd at news@penbaypilot.com