AUGUSTA — Victor James Pendleton, 24, of Augusta, allegedly gave another man’s name and birth date, his brother’s, when he was charged last June with theft at J& S Oil in Augusta.

The arresting officer learned in March that the fingerprints on file belonged to Pendleton.

Augusta police Officer Christopher Guay was at the Kennebec County jail on another matter April 4 and saw an inmate who was strikingly similar to the man he had arrested in June 2015. The man identified himself as Kevin Pearse, 25, and said Pendleton was his brother whom he hadn’t seen for two years, according to Guay’s affidavit, which was filed in the Capital Judicial Center.

Guay then compared the photographs of the two men and determined that he actually had spoken to Pendleton at the jail.

On Sunday, Guay found Pendleton on Northern Avenue near Canal Street and arrested him on six warrants and charges of aggravated forgery, for allegedly giving a false name, as well as the two original charges of theft by unauthorized taking or transfer and theft by unauthorized use of property.

Justice Eric Walker on Monday set bail for Pendleton at $5,000 cash.

Augusta police Lt. Chris Read said that the only new charge was the aggravated forgery for allegedly providing the false identity when he was arrested J&S Oil in Augusta and had given a false name, signed forms under that name and was incarcerated under that name.

Read said the district attorney’s office is trying to figure out who should have been charged.

Deputy District Attorney Paul Cavanaugh said later via email that Pendleton does indeed have a brother.

Betty Adams — 621-5631

badams@centralmaine.com

Twitter: @betadams

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