ROCKLAND — A Clifton man who was arrested Dec.27 and accused of a series of thefts in Knox and Lincoln counties made his initial appearance in Knox County Court Dec. 29.

Jesse Spencer, 36, appeared in court before Judge Eric Walker, who set his bail at $2,500 cash. He is charged with felony theft and violating conditions of release.

When bail is posted, Spencer will be on supervised released and must follow the conditions of a Maine Pretrial Contract.

According to the police affidavit filed in Knox County Court, Spencer allegedly stole more than $1,000 in merchandise from Maine Sport in Rockland and more than $2,000 in merchandise from E.L. Spear in Rockland. Other thefts cited include merchandise at Lowe’s in Thomaston, two generators valued at $2,200 from Harbor Freight, and items at Warren True Value.  

As part of his bail conditions, Spencer is not to return to the businesses where the thefts occurred.

Spencer is scheduled to appear in court again Feb. 22 for a dispositional conference.

WARREN — Police representing three different municipalities came together Wednesday, Dec. 27, to help arrest an individual alleged to be involved in a series of ongoing felony theft cases in multiple jurisdictions.

Following a tip passed along by Rockland Police Department to the Knox County Sheriff’s Office, a deputy went to a motel in Warren just prior to 1 p.m., Dec. 27.

“The information provided was that the suspect vehicle may have been parked at a business on Atlantic Highway in Warren,” said a Dec. 28 news release from the Knox County Sheriff’s Office.

Upon arrival, the deputy located the suspect’s vehicle, and then found the suspect, Jesse Spencer, 36, of Clinton, there, as well.

As the deputy kept watch on a door, as well as making sure that no other people entered the area, he called for backup. Within minutes, multiple personnel were en route from the Sheriff’s Office, as well as an officer each from Waldoboro and Rockland.

At approximately 1:06 p.m., Spencer was apprehended, taken into custody for outstanding arrest warrants from Lincoln and Knox counties, and transported to Knox County Jail in Rockland.

Investigations continue and more charges are possible, according to the Knox County Sheriff’s Office. The following charges have been introduced:

Lincoln County Warrants

Reckless Conduct, Class D

Eluding an Officer, Class C

Driving to Endanger, Class E

Operating After Suspension, Class E

Refusing to submit to arrest or detention, Class E

Knox County Warrants

2 Counts of Theft, Class C

Spencer was also charged by the Sheriff’s Office with:

3 Counts of Felony Theft, Class C

4 Counts of Violations of Conditions of Release