Sabattus police charge Auburn 16-year-old with kidnapping after driving into Sabattus pond

Teen Charged With Kidnapping After Stolen Car Plunged Into Sabattus Pond

Sabattus, Maine – October 18, 2026
A stolen vehicle driven by a 16‑year‑old Auburn teenager crashed into Sabattus Pond after a night‑time run that left several juveniles trapped inside. Sabattus Police Department officers charged the driver with kidnapping, reckless conduct, driving to endanger, and operating a vehicle without a valid license.

A Night of Recklessness

At roughly 3:30 a.m. on Monday, officers received a call reporting a vehicle without lights speeding toward Sabattus Pond. When police arrived, they found the car submerged in the water, its doors jammed shut. Investigation revealed the vehicle had been reported stolen weeks earlier.

“Police received calls early on the morning of Oct. 18 about a car operating without its lights and being driven recklessly that crashed into the pond,” said Sabattus Police Chief Wayne Drake. “The car was being operated by a 16‑year‑old and was carrying six other juveniles as young as 13.”

Victims Who Begged for Release

Four of the occupants were girls who told investigators that the driver had refused to let them out of the vehicle. “They were begging the driver to stop and let them out once they realized the situation they were in,” Drake explained. “Then he locked the doors and would not stop.”

The driver’s refusal to release the occupants led Chief Drake to file the kidnapping charge. “The reason we charged the driver of the car with kidnapping is because multiple juvenile females that were in the car stated that they were begging the driver to stop and let them out,” he said.

Legal Consequences

In a Facebook post on Friday, Chief Drake listed the charges against the youth: kidnapping, reckless conduct, driving to endanger, and operating without a license. Because the suspect is a minor, his name is not being released to the public.

A Community Reaches Out

The incident has sparked conversation in the local community about youth safety and the risks of driving stolen vehicles. Local officials urge residents to report suspicious activity and to keep children away from potentially dangerous situations.

The case is still under investigation. No additional charges have been announced, and the victim’s identities remain confidential. The city of Sabattus will be monitoring the situation closely as the legal process unfolds.