Two out-of-place cars and an unlocked gate alerted police to a sand pit party in Windham last Friday night, leading to a series of summonses for underaged drinking and criminal trespass.

Windham officers broke up the May 1 party just after 10 p.m. when they found 14 minors in a sand pit near the Gambo Road and Mountain Division Trail, Chief Richard B. Lewsen said. All 14, including three juveniles, were summonsed for criminal trespassing in the sand pit, which is owned by the Portland Water District. Following portable breath tests for alcohol, all but five were summonsed for consuming liquor as a minor.

Charged with consuming liquor as a minor were: Kyle R. Morrell, 19; Theodore C. Olson, 18; Joshua D. Young, 19; and Nicholas A. Quatrano, 20, all of Windham; and Zachery J. Karantza, 19; Jared Marcinuk, 18; Tyler B. Rocheleua, 19; Cody R. Winde, 19, all of Raymond, and a juvenile. Cerise L. Caiazzo, 18, of Raymond; Nicholis R. Brough, 18; and Ryan M. Rich, 19, both of Windham, and two juveniles were charged only with criminal trespassing.

Authorities were alerted to the party during a property check near the sand pit by Officer James Cook, who saw two cars parked outside the closed and locked gates to the Gambo Road soccer fields, Lewsen said.

“The vehicles were still warm, and one of them belonged to a minor who is known to drink a lot,” said Lewsen.

After another officer arrived, they checked out the soccer fields, finding nothing. They then noticed that a gate to the Portland Water District property was open.

“That’s pretty unusual, because the officer said it’s been locked the last four years day and night,” said Lewsen.

Soon after entering the gated area, the officers stopped a Jeep leaving the grounds. They then found the remainder of the group standing around a bonfire in the sand pit. After performing the breath tests, they issued the summons.