BELFAST – Some splishing and splashing in the darkness caught a policeman’s ear early Thursday, and a short time later three city officers wound up catching five adults in a little post-midnight skinny-dipping.

Police Chief Allen Weaver said officers at first had chased a group from City Park about 9:20 p.m. Wednesday after receiving a complaint about “people drinking and being rowdy.”

Weaver said alcohol was found nearby, but it could not be determined that the group was in possession. Alcohol is prohibited in the park. Weaver said the group was told to leave the park and not return.

Later, officers saw the group at various locations along High Street and Northport Avenue.

While on patrol behind the Waldo County General Hospital about 12:30 a.m. Thursday, Patrolman Mike Rolerson heard voices coming from around the park’s swimming pool next door to the hospital.

Rolerson notified Officers Ron Young and Walter Corey, and together the three of them walked into the closed park and “observed several people running around and inside the pool naked,” Weaver said.

The officers identified themselves and proceeded to round up the group. A 17-year-old female who was fully clothed and outside the pool was detained briefly, then released. One of the males in the group was found hiding in nearby bushes wearing only his underwear.

Jonathon Littlefield, 22, of Belfast, Susan Littlefield, 21, of Belfast, Kelly Pattershall, 19, of Northport, Christopher Riley, 23, of Northport and Timothy Pendleton, 21, of Frankfort were charged with criminal trespass and taken to the Waldo County Jail.

Jonathon Littlefield, Riley and Pendleton were being held on $100 bail. Susan Littlefield was released on personal recognizance.

Pattershall also was charged with violation of conditions of release. When the skinny-dipping occurred, Pattershall was on bail on a charge of aggravated criminal trespass. Conditions of her bail required that she not engage in any criminal activity.

Weaver said Timothy Pendleton had been released from jail the morning before the skinny dipping incident after completing a sentence for operating while under the influence of intoxicants and operating after suspension.

“This happens sometimes,” Weaver said. “Usually once a year or so we get a complaint about kids swimming in the pool after it’s closed for the day.”