A Richmond man is accused of stealing copper wire and plumbing fittings from the VA Maine Healthcare Systems — Togus and selling them to a local scrap metal recycling firm last year.

Derek Conrad Less, 26, who formerly lived in Augusta and Waterville, according to documents in state court, was indicted by a federal grand jury on seven counts of theft of government property on Oct. 16 and arrested a day later.

He is to be arraigned on those charges on Nov. 13 in U.S. District Court in Bangor.

His defense attorney, James S. Nixon, said today he had no comment on anything related to the case. A judge granted his request to postpone the arraignment from today’s scheduled appearance.

The indictment in federal court says Less “did willfully and knowingly steal copper wire and plumbing fittings” from Togus, valued at more than $1,000, and sold them to Clark’s Cars & Parts, Inc., on seven dates between July 6 and Aug 16, 2012.

In the meantime, Less has been charged by complaint in September in Kennebec County Superior Court with two counts of receiving stolen property and one count each of burglary and theft by unauthorized taking, which allegedly occurred June 1-17 in Augusta.

The complaint says Less broke into an Augusta home in early June and took the owner’s jewelry, checkbook and lamps valued at more than $1,000.

It also says he took more than $1,000 worth of jewelry from Gabriel’s Jewelry in Augusta on June 10 and June 17.

Less is scheduled for an initial appearance on those charges on Nov. 13 in Kennebec County Superior Court. It does not appear that he has an attorney yet in that case.

Betty Adams — 621-5631badams@centralmaine.comTwitter: @betadams