LEWISTON – A car parked in a Bates Street lot Thursday led police to a woman wanted by military investigators for desertion from the Navy.

Lauren M. Taylor, 19, was arrested and turned over to the Navy on Thursday morning after it was reported that she had fled from her unit.

On Thursday morning, Lewiston police went to 292 Bates St. after receiving a report that a car was parked there without permission, said police spokesman Michael McGonagle.

Officers found several people in an apartment at that address and began to question them about the car. Police also learned that the vehicle had been reported stolen.

After questioning Taylor and researching the origin of the stolen car, police called investigators from Brunswick Naval Air Station. It was then learned that a warrant had been issued for Taylor’s arrest on a charge of desertion.

Police took Taylor into custody, and detectives from the Naval Criminal Investigative Services came to Lewiston to pick her up.

It was believed Taylor was taken to Brunswick, but the status of her case could not be determined Friday. It was not known how long Taylor was allegedly absent without leave or where she had been stationed.

On an arrest report, the Bates Street residence where she was arrested was listed as her last known address.

Under military law, a person is considered a deserter if absent without leave from his or her unit for more than 30 days. A federal warrant is issued immediately.

A person accused of desertion may be jailed, transferred back to the military or dishonorably discharged.

According to recent news reports, a typical prison term for desertion from the U.S. military is one year. The maximum penalty is five years.