WATERVILLE — A man with a history of theft convictions is in jail and headed to court after being arrested Thursday and charged with stealing two laptop computers and a calculator from a dining hall at Colby College.
Robert Nichols, 28, listed as transient, was  arrested at 2:20 p.m. Thursday at Elm Plaza by Officer Dennis Picard as Nichols tried to evade him at Hannaford, Deputy police Chief Charles Rumsey said Friday.
Charged with Class C felony theft, Nichols is scheduled to appear in Kennebec County Superior Court in Augusta Jan. 29, Rumsey said.
About 1 p.m. Thursday, police got a call from Colby College Security officials saying laptop computers had been stolen from Roberts Dining Hall on campus, Rumsey said.
Officer Dennis Picard responded, spoke with security officials, as well as two students whose laptops had been reported stolen, Rumsey said.
Colby staff told security that they saw a suspicious looking male on campus wearing a baseball cap and a gray, hooded sweatshirt and carrying a green backpack, Rumsey said.
“The security staff and a number of our officers began checking the Colby College area and other areas of town,” Rumsey said.
Picard checked with sources and learned that a taxi cab had picked up a man fitting the description on North Street and took him to Elm Plaza, Rumsey said.
Police went to Elm Plaza and saw a man matching the description coming out of  Hannaford, he said.
“When Nichols came out and saw Officer Picard, he immediately turned around, re-entered the store and attempted to evade him,” Rumsey said.
 Picard then detained Nichols and found the laptops stolen from Colby in his backpack, Rumsey said.
The laptops and calculator are valued at a total of $4,450, he said.
Nichols was unable to make $2,500 bail and was taken to Kennebec County Jail in Augusta, Rumsey said.
 “Detective Alan Perkins is assisting in the investigation and we are currently investigating the possibility of Nichols’ involvement in several other thefts reported to us recently from Colby College, and additional charges are pending,” Rumsey said.
Those thefts include laptops and other items, he said.
Nichols is very familiar to police, and on Tuesday,  had been summoned on a charge of shoplifting at Walmart, Rumsey said. He was convicted in 2008 for illegal possession of drugs and possession of marijuana; in 2010, he was convicted of theft; and in 2011, he was convicted twice for theft, as well as for domestic violence assault, violation of condition of release and failing to provide correct name, address and date of birth, according to Rumsey.

Amy Calder — 861-9247
acalder@centralmaine.com

Robert Nichols, 28, listed as transient, was  arrested at 2:20 p.m. Thursday at Elm Plaza by Officer Dennis Picard as Nichols tried to evade him at Hannaford, Deputy police Chief Charles Rumsey said Friday.
Charged with Class C felony theft, Nichols is scheduled to appear in Kennebec County Superior Court in Augusta Jan. 29, Rumsey said.
About 1 p.m. Thursday, police got a call from Colby College Security officials saying laptop computers had been stolen from Roberts Dining Hall on campus, Rumsey said.
Officer Dennis Picard responded, spoke with security officials, as well as two students whose laptops had been reported stolen, Rumsey said.
Colby staff told security that they saw a suspicious looking male on campus wearing a baseball cap and a gray, hooded sweatshirt and carrying a green backpack, Rumsey said.
“The security staff and a number of our officers began checking the Colby College area and other areas of town,” Rumsey said.
Picard checked with sources and learned that a taxi cab had picked up a man fitting the description on North Street and took him to Elm Plaza, Rumsey said.
Police went to Elm Plaza and saw a man matching the description coming out of  Hannaford, he said.
“When Nichols came out and saw Officer Picard, he immediately turned around, re-entered the store and attempted to evade him,” Rumsey said.
 Picard then detained Nichols and found the laptops stolen from Colby in his backpack, Rumsey said.
The laptops and calculator are valued at a total of $4,450, he said.
Nichols was unable to make $2,500 bail and was taken to Kennebec County Jail in Augusta, Rumsey said.
 “Detective Alan Perkins is assisting in the investigation and we are currently investigating the possibility of Nichols’ involvement in several other thefts reported to us recently from Colby College, and additional charges are pending,” Rumsey said.
Those thefts include laptops and other items, he said.
Nichols is very familiar to police, and on Tuesday,  had been summoned on a charge of shoplifting at Walmart, Rumsey said. He was convicted in 2008 for illegal possession of drugs and possession of marijuana; in 2010, he was convicted of theft; and in 2011, he was convicted twice for theft, as well as for domestic violence assault, violation of condition of release and failing to provide correct name, address and date of birth, according to Rumsey.

Amy Calder — 861-9247
acalder@centralmaine.com
 


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