WATERVILLE — Police didn’t have to look far to find the man who stole items from their personal vehicles parked at Head of Falls.

They followed a trail of petals that dropped off flowers taken from inside one officer’s vehicle, according to Deputy police Chief Charles Rumsey.

The trail led to beneath the nearby Two-Cent Bridge, where police discovered Donald Fencik, 61, with clothes, sunglasses, jumper cables and other items police said he stole from the vehicles, Rumsey said Tuesday.

Fencik, of 7 Paris St., was arrested at 3:15 a.m. Monday and charged with motor vehicle burglary and theft, Rumsey said.

“He also had in his possession some tools believed stolen from a nearby construction site,” Rumsey said.

Police discovered the burglaries when an officer noticed that his previously closed truck tailgate and cap were open, according to Rumsey.

Fencik was unable to make $450 bail and was taken to Kennebec County jail in Augusta, he said.

Later Monday, he pleaded guilty to the two charges and was sentenced to 60 days in jail, Rumsey said.

Rumsey said police have arrested Fencik more than three dozen times over the last several years on wide range of charges, including disorderly conduct and theft.

“He has a very long criminal history and is somebody we deal with constantly,” he said.

Amy Calder — 861-9247

acalder@centralmaine.com