Rochester man, Farmington woman nabbed in pair of vehicle thefts

Leah C. Costales, Samuel J. Warren (Rochester Police photos)

ROCHESTER - Rochester Police and a Maine State Trooper teamed up on Sunday to nab a pair of local residents officials say stole two vehicles in two states within hours of each other.

The pair's alleged misdeeds began around 5:30 a.m. when Leah C. Costales, 30, of 52 Oakwood Ave., Farmington is accused of stealing a Ford F-150 in Farmington.

Then police say Samuel J. Warren, 31, of 17 Winter St., Rochester, and Costales drove to Lebanon, Maine, where they ditched the truck and stole a Jeep Wrangler.

For whatever reason the pair then wound up in the Jeep at the Fillmore Boulevard park and ride off Washington Street just west of Rochester Crossing.

Rochester Police first got involved after a nearby Hale Street resident called dispatch around 12:50 p.m. to notify police they saw people park at the end of their road and take items into the woods. When officers arrived they widened their search to Fillmore Avenue where they found the Jeep which had been reported missing out of Lebanon.

Police later responded to nearby Hussey Hill Road for a report of more suspicious activity where they met a Maine State Trooper also searching for the suspects.

The trooper, who said he'd seen a suspect heading into the woods, along with Rochester officers then began combing the area soon finding Warren, who surrendered without further incident.

Police then summoned a K-9 unit from Dover to track the female suspect, but the scent went cold.

Later in the evening, however, police got a call for a suspicious female at the North Street McDonald's, where Costales was taken into custody.

Rochester Police charged Warren with resisting arrest or detention and stalking - domestic violence, for which police gave no further information.

Costales was charged with two counts of receiving stolen property for the stolen Jeep and two counts of resisting arrest or detention; she also had a Farmington bench warrant for driving after revocation or suspension, subsequent offense.

Farmington Police Chief John Drury said today they also have an arrest warrant on Costales in the theft of the truck on a charge of felony theft by unauthorized taking.

Drury said that as of today Farmington police have no additional warrants against Warren.

Maine charges filed against the pair were not immediately available.