LEWISTON, Maine — A dump truck stolen from Massachusetts made it all the way to Maine on Friday night — and left a totaled police cruiser, a crashed school playground fence, and three people in handcuffs before it was over.
It started around 8 p.m. when Lewiston police received an alert from the Flock Safety system, a license plate scanning tool, flagging the stolen truck moving through downtown.
The dual-wheeled dump truck had been taken from Marlborough, Massachusetts.
Officers Tried to Stop It Near Downtown Lewiston
Police moved to intercept the vehicle near the intersection of Bartlett and Walnut streets.
Instead of stopping, the driver pulled into a rear parking lot — and rammed a police cruiser head-on.
The cruiser was totaled. The officer inside was not injured.
The Truck Crashed Into a School Playground
The vehicle kept moving, traveling roughly one block before crashing into the fence at the back of Longley School — a local elementary school.
The crash disabled the truck and stopped the driver in his tracks.
Three people climbed out and tried to run.
Officer Hurt During the Chase
One Lewiston officer pursued the fleeing suspects on foot and was injured during the chase — getting a serious cut to the back of his head from the playground fence.
He was taken to the hospital, where doctors closed the wound with seven staples.
Three Massachusetts Residents Arrested
All three people inside the truck were from Massachusetts. Police identified them as:
- Antonio Moralespijoan, 23, of Marlborough
- Angelika Almeida, 20, of Lawrence
- Steven Grossi, 37, of Lowell
Moralespijoan faces the most serious charges, including reckless conduct, aggravated criminal mischief, and leaving the scene of an accident — along with theft-related charges. The others also face charges connected to the stolen vehicle.
It was not immediately clear whether any of them had legal representation.
How Police Tracked the Truck
The Flock Safety license plate scanning system played a key role in flagging the stolen vehicle as it entered the city.
The system gave officers just enough time to respond — though not enough to prevent the damage that followed.
The incident remains under investigation by Lewiston police.
Did this story surprise you? A stolen truck crossing state lines and crashing into a school playground is something no one expects to happen in their community. Share your thoughts in the comments below.
