SKOWHEGAN — Alert store clerks have resulted in criminal charges against two Skowhegan residents.

In the first of two unrelated incidents involving thefts at a store Tuesday, police said a 32-year-old Skowhegan man put his foot over money dropped by a resident of a nursing home across the street.

The nursing home resident, while at the register “reached in his pocket, some money fell out,” Police Chief Ted Blais said Wednesday. “Apparently, the guy behind him stepped up and stood on the money so it wasn’t obvious that anything had fallen out.”

The clerk at the register saw what happened, though, and told police.

“That’s just awful — to step up and step on the money — come on, that’s so cheap,” Blais said. “The clerks assisted with watching this happen.”

Joseph Williams, of North Avenue, was issued a summons to appear in court on a charge of theft.

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Also Tuesday, at the Hannaford supermarket at Fairgrounds Market Place, 21-year-old Alicia Preston, of Jewell Court, allegedly was seen by employees trying to steal three large bottles of alcohol, Blais said.

“She allegedly shoplifted a 1.75 liter Jagermeister — that’s worth $43, a fairly high proof liquor,” the chief said. “And then she took two 1.75 liter Smirnoff vodka — kapow — she wasn’t going to get busted stealing some cheesy Pabst’s Blue Ribbon. She told the officers she didn’t have any money for food. It’s not like she was stealing a steak or something — she was stealing alcohol.”

Blais said the loss prevention employees at the store had her on video.

Preston was issued a summons to appear in court on a charge of theft.

Doug Harlow — 612-2367

dharlow@centralmaine.com

Twitter: @Doug_Harlow


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