A troubled teenager, who was being held at a downstate detention center, is back in the region and already creating havoc.

On Monday morning, the Dunkirk Police Department issued a news release to “make the community aware that a juvenile (who) had been previously charged with multiple burglaries last spring in the city of Dunkirk, has returned to the area and has again been charged with (felony third-degree burglary), along with several misdemeanors.”

The 17-year-old juvenile, police said, had been downstate serving a detention period at a secure facility and was recently released. Friday at 2:15 p.m. was the time listed for the alleged crimes.

The youth will be in Chautauqua County youth court later this month, along with appearing at the office of probation to answer for the most recent charges.

“The Dunkirk Police Department would like to remind business owners to please remember to secure your building after hours of operation and please report any suspicious activity,” the release noted.

This teenager last year damaged storefronts as well as items inside the establishments along Central Avenue, Fourth Street and in Wright Park. He was sentenced to one year at an undisclosed location. Over a 60-day period, the actions by the youth created chaos for both law enforcement as well as merchants.

Due to his age, his identity was not disclosed.

One downtown business owner last year called the vandal “a menace to the business district,” noting an alarm at the location went off once the individual struck. He was tracked down minutes later creating a stir on Fourth Street, the owner said.