The Lewiston Police Department arrested an 18-year-old on Monday, along with three juveniles, in connection with a string of car thefts before immediately releasing the minors.
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The 18-year-old was arrested in May in connection with another string of car thefts and burglaries also involving a gang of minors, and the assault on a Waldo County Sheriff’s Deputy.
In the overnight hours from Sunday to Monday, Lewiston officers responded to reports of three separate vehicle thefts occurring on Pine Street, Mitchell Street, and North Temple Street.
At approximately 4:45 a.m., an officer allegedly located one of the stolen vehicles being operated on Russell Street and attempted to initiate a traffic stop.
The driver allegedly refused to stop, and the officer initiated a pursuit.
The suspect eventually crashed on Sabattus Street, and its six occupants fled on foot.
Lewiston officers and the Androscoggin Sheriff’s Department apprehended four of the six suspects.
One was identified as Larando Sweeting, 18, who was previously arrested for very similar crimes after a multi-town chase in a stolen vehicle in May, though he was subsequently released and was free to allegedly re-offend just a month later.
He was arrested and charged with violation of conditions of release, refusal to submit to arrest, and theft by unauthorized taking with priors.
The other three apprehended suspects were minors. They were arrested and charged with refusal to submit to arrest and theft by unauthorized taking, but were simply issued court summonses and immediately released back into their parents’ custody.
Police later recovered the other two stolen vehicles after they were found unoccupied.
Police did not release a mugshot for Sweeting and did not immediately return a call requesting one.
