FREEPORT, Maine — Freeport police said in a news release Friday that officers are "actively searching" for 14-year-old Theo Ferrera.
Chief Nathaniel Goodman of the Freeport Police Department said authorities are in the early stages of the investigation.
Theo was last seen around 4:30 p.m. on Thursday at his Freeport home. Police said he does not have any history of running away from home.
Theo is 5 feet, 7 inches tall, and weighs about 125 pounds, with brown hair and brown eyes, according to officials. He was last seen wearing a white windbreaker over a t-shirt, with neon shorts and a royal blue backpack.
Freeport police are working with Brunswick authorities and Maine State Police, assisted by game wardens and Maine Marine Patrol with multiple K-9 units.
Goodman said crews will be searching the wooded areas by Flying Point Road in Freeport and Brunswick.
In a Facebook post made Friday evening, police asked that members of the public "refrain from self-searching the wooded areas of Flying Point Rd, Chase Reserve, and Bunganuc Rd, so the K-9 teams can continue to search those areas" at this time.
Police notified residents in the post that search teams may be seen on neighboring properties.
Friends of Theo told NEWS CENTER Maine they were with him at a school pep rally on Thursday but haven't heard from him since Thursday afternoon.
They say Theo was supposed to come to school to turn in an art project but did not show.
Friends commented on Theo's nice and friendly nature but said that he is "trying to find his identity."
Freeport police ask that anyone who may have information about Theo's whereabouts call the tip line at 207-725-5521, press option #2, then option 6.
Watch the press conference held on Friday below for more information on the current investigation.
For the latest breaking news, weather, and traffic alerts, download the NEWS CENTER Maine mobile app.