A multi-jurisdictional police effort has led to the arrest of two suspects for stealing cars from Boothbay Harbor on July 26-27.

Matthew Cole, 26, formerly of Portland, was arrested by Lewiston police on Aug. 3 and charged with Class C theft by unauthorized taking and probation violations, according to Androscoggin County Jail.

Cole was released from Maine State Prison on probation in July; he had been serving time for charges stemming from a high speed car chase in Cumberland County.

Lewiston police also arrested Kimberly Burby, 26, of Lewiston, for Class C theft by unauthorized taking, eluding an officer, driving to endanger, violation of conditions of release, attaching false plates and failure to pay restitution. Both suspects are being held at Androscoggin County Jail.

Boothbay Harbor Police Chief Bob Hasch said Boothbay Harbor police will also charge the two with Class B theft of the automobiles and theft of services from a local motel.

Hasch said Boothbay Harbor police first became aware of the thefts on July 27, when the owners discovered their vehicles, which had been parked downtown on Union and Main streets, were missing. The vehicles stolen were a 2014 Dodge Ram truck and a 2016 Hyundai and had been parked overnight with the keys inside. Hasch said a few days later another person reported a missing license plate in the same area.

Hasch said Officer Tom Chryplewicz entered the vehicle information into the state database so other agencies would also be on the lookout. In a short time, both vehicles and the stolen plate had been run by Sabattus and Lewiston police departments and had also been identified from a gas station video. Lewiston Police Department located the Dodge Ram truck and, after a chase, arrested Cole and Burby.

Hasch said a tip from Parole Officer Kevin Buckmore led to recovery of the Hyundai.

“Buckmore said he thought he knew where the vehicle might be based on his knowledge of the arrested suspects. (Lincoln County Sheriff’s Detective) Jared Mitkus accompanied me and we headed to Litchfield. We located the vehicle in a rural area, as well as items we believe were stolen from multiple jurisdictions,” Hasch said.

Although Cole listed his address as Boothbay when arrested, Hasch said he had just recently come to this area since his release from prison.

Hasch said he was grateful for the work of Boothbay Harbor police officers and the coordinated efforts of Lewiston and Sabattus Police departments, Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office and Buckmore in quickly resolving this theft.

“Our whole PD has been working on this 24/7 and we are particularly grateful for the assistance of other jurisdictions. Networking helps within the community and it plays a large role in law enforcement, as well,” Hasch said.

This story will be updated as more details are available.