ROCKLAND — The Rockland Police Department posted the following news release to its Facebook page:

Wednesday evening (01/10/2024), Rockland Police were called to the Ferry Terminal Parking Lot for a suspicious vehicle. Officers found a vehicle abandoned with no one around. It was later determined the vehicle was stolen but could not make it out of the parking lot due to the gate and user error. Officers worked diligently the next day and by Thursday night had identified and charged 18-year-old Daniel Mitchell and a juvenile accomplice. Mitchell, who was out of jail on several conditions of release, was booked into the Knox County Jail on the charges of Theft, Trespassing and Violation of Conditions of Release.

Early Friday morning (01/12/2024), Rockland Police took a report of motor vehicle stolen from a driveway on Grace Street. Additionally, several reported motor vehicle burglaries were reported to have occurred along with an attempted motor vehicle theft. At approximately 0920 hours, Officers located the vehicle and attempted to stop it. The vehicle failed to stop, and began driving recklessly before turning into the Oceanside High School parking lot. Once in the parking lot, the driver and front seat passengers took off on foot fleeing into the woods, while a rear seat passenger stayed on scene.

With assistance from several local law enforcement agencies Rockland Police had two juvenile suspects in custody within the hour. The two juveniles offenders were charged with several counts of theft (including the aforementioned motor vehicle burglaries) and the driver was charged with driving without a license and eluding an officer. The third occupant was cooperative with law enforcement, found to not have been involved in the theft and released. Per the Department of Corrections guidelines, the juveniles, one of whom was on conditions of release, were both released on summonses.

Rockland Police would like to thank the Knox County Sheriff's Office - Maine, Rockport Maine Police Department and Maine Department of Marine Resources for their assistance.

Rockland Police will continue to actively patrol during the overnights and increase foot patrols in targeted areas to try and catch those searching for unlocked vehicle to steal from. We would like to remind folks that in all of these cases, the vehicles were left unlocked and unattended overnight with keys inside the car. Many of these crimes are those of opportunity. Locking your vehicle and never leaving the keys inside can stop these types of incidents. Following these simple steps not only protects your property from theft and damage but can keep those who are unfit to operate a motor vehicle from endangering the lives of others on the roadway.