Men face theft charges in string of Renys thefts

FARMINGTON — Two Waterville men face theft charges after attempting to take more than $1,000 worth of items from Renys Department Store, police said.
The men also face charges in other towns where Renys stores are located.
Bobbi Frappier, 32, of Waterville was arrested Sunday on a warrant on a charge of violation of conditions of release because he was out on bail for a previous theft charge involving Renys in Ellsworth, Farmington police officer Bridgette Gilbert said Monday. She issued Frappier a summons on a charge of felony theft for Sunday's incident, she said.
James Welch, 33, of Waterville, was arrested Sunday on warrant charges of unpaid fines/fees and criminal trespass by Franklin County Sheriff's Cpl. Steve Charles, who assisted Gilbert at the scene. Charles questioned Welch, who was sitting in the car while Frappier was inside the store, she said.
Welch was also issued a summons on a charge of felony theft in connection to the Farmington case, Gilbert said. She also served summonses on both men in connection with the Madison Renys' case, she said.
Renys' employees around the state had been alerted by the company to be on the lookout for a certain vehicle and a description of occupants who have been involved in stealing items from Renys in Dexter and Madison, Gilbert said Monday.
A Farmington store employee had been standing in the alley between Renys and The Homestead on Sunday and saw a vehicle that matched the description of the one seen at the two other Renys, Gilbert said.
The employee followed one of the men in the vehicle into the store and watched to see what that person was doing and saw that he was following a similar pattern store employees were alerted to, she said.
Police were also alerted and arrived to talk to store representatives inside the store.
Frappier attempted to steal two MP3 players, a pair of boots, 17 pairs of Carhartt shorts and 16 pairs of Carhartt pants, Gilbert said. Combined they were valued at $1,240, he said.
Welch was taken to Kennebec County jail on Monday, and Frappier remained at the Franklin County jail in Farmington and was expected to go to court Tuesday.
dperry@sunjournal.com