Lewiston police arrested two juveniles Tuesday evening following a foot chase that began after teenagers were allegedly caught smashing apartment windows and one was reported to be carrying a gun, marking the second police pursuit involving juveniles in the city in less than 24 hours.
The latest incident unfolded Tuesday, Aug. 11, when police were called to an area of Lewiston following reports that a group of teenagers was breaking apartment windows, according to information obtained by The Maine Wire.
A witness also reported seeing one of the teenagers displaying what appeared to be a firearm.
When officers arrived, the teenagers allegedly fled on foot, triggering a police search and prompting officers to establish a perimeter around the neighborhood.
Residents in the area assisted police in locating the fleeing suspects, and officers took two male juveniles into custody within minutes, according to information provided to The Maine Wire.
Both juveniles were charged with criminal mischief and refusing to submit to arrest or detention. One also had an active warrant stemming from a burglary charge.
But the arrests raise another question confronting Lewiston officials as the city struggles with repeat juvenile offenders: both teenagers had previously been held at the Long Creek Youth Development Center in South Portland before being released back into the community, according to information obtained by The Maine Wire.
Following Tuesday’s arrests, both juveniles are expected to be returned to Long Creek.
Police had not immediately located the firearm reportedly seen by a witness, and officers remained in the area Tuesday evening searching for the weapon.
The episode came less than 24 hours after another group of juveniles led Lewiston police on a pursuit through the city’s downtown.
Five Flee Stolen Car After Monday-Night Pursuit
At approximately 10 p.m. Monday, Aug. 10, Lewiston officers attempted to stop a vehicle that police said was being driven erratically through downtown.
The driver refused to stop, and a brief pursuit followed.
The chase ended near the intersection of Bartlett and Birch streets when the vehicle crashed into a Lewiston police cruiser.
Police subsequently determined that the vehicle had been reported stolen.
Five people jumped from the vehicle and fled on foot following the crash.
Officers captured two of them, both juveniles, while three others escaped and remained at large Tuesday.
During the escape, one of the fleeing suspects discarded what initially appeared to be a firearm. Police recovered the object and determined it was a replica gun.
The Lewiston officer whose cruiser was struck was reported to be safe.
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Repeat Juvenile Crime Remains Major Concern in Lewiston
The two pursuits occurring less than 24 hours apart come amid mounting concerns about juvenile crime, repeat offenders and gun violence in Maine’s second-largest city.
Lewiston officials acknowledged during an Aug. 5 City Council meeting that the city had recorded 20 shooting incidents during the first seven months of 2026.
Police have said juveniles, including repeat juvenile offenders, have been involved in a significant share of those incidents.
The city has responded by directing additional resources toward law enforcement, including expanded patrols and police overtime, while officials have also discussed seeking changes in Augusta to Maine’s juvenile justice system.
Among the concerns raised by city officials has been law enforcement’s ability to detain repeat juvenile offenders accused of violent crimes and prevent them from quickly returning to the streets.
Tuesday night’s arrests put that issue back into focus.
According to information obtained by The Maine Wire, both juveniles arrested Tuesday had already spent time at Long Creek for previous offenses, had been released back into the community and are now headed back to the state’s only youth detention facility following another encounter with police.
The circumstances surrounding their previous releases were not immediately clear.
The Maine Wire is seeking additional information from Lewiston police concerning Tuesday’s incident, including whether the reported firearm has been recovered, the juveniles’ prior cases and whether additional suspects are being sought.
Both incidents remain under investigation.
The Maine Wire’s reporting on Tuesday’s incident is based on information provided directly to this reporter, local reporting in the Lewiston Sun Journal and publicly available information. Details concerning Monday night’s pursuit were also confirmed through statements attributed to Lewiston police.
Old enough to break windows, break into cars, have a fake gun, run from the cops….old enough to have their name and mug shots posted.
Abdul and Mohamed just being boys .
Their mother is too busy grifting the SNAP program to be watching them .
Uncle Muahmar is busy writing up some fake asylum claims .
Just another day in New Somalia .