A Bangor man faces a felony theft charge after allegedly stealing approximately $10,000-$15,000 of jewelry from a Damariscotta home while working there for a subcontractor.
Rocky L. Grass, 31, allegedly stole a diamond engagement ring, a wedding band, and other jewelry from the Bristol Road residence Wednesday, June 10, according to Damariscotta Police Officer Erick Halpin.
The homeowners reported the theft Wednesday night.
Grass was an employee of a Bangor-area subcontractor hired by a big-box home-improvement store to complete some work at the home, according to Halpin. Halpin interviewed all the workers at the job site.
Halpin then contacted several shops in Bangor. He eventually located the items at a jewelry shop, which had purchased them from Grass Wednesday night. The jewelry bore “very specific engravings” with dates, Halpin said.
“Given that knowledge, I brought him in for questioning and he admitted to taking the items and pawning them,” Halpin said. Grass received $230 for the items.
Halpin arrested Grass back at the work site Thursday, June 11. Grass faces a class B count of theft by unauthorized taking or transfer. The charge carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison.
Grass has prior convictions for theft by receiving stolen property and theft by unauthorized taking or transfer, as well as obstructing government administration, trafficking in dangerous knives, and violating protective order.
As of 6 p.m., Thursday, June 11, Grass remains in custody at Two Bridges Regional Jail in Wiscasset with bail set at $5,000 cash.
