A Wales man has been arrested for the second time this year for allegedly stealing electricity from Central Maine Power Co.
The Maine State Police said troopers got a tip that Nicholas Gagne, 36, had reconnected wires from a CMP transformer to his house, for which he had been arrested in January. A state trooper on Thursday morning saw Gagne climbing the power pole, possibly to disconnect the wires he had allegedly attached.
When Gagne saw the trooper, he climbed down and ran to an outbuilding, police said.
When he eventually came out, he was charged with violating the conditions of his bail, theft and criminal mischief, troopers said.
CMP was called to confirm the illegal connection, police said.
Gagne is being held without bail at the Androscoggin County Jail, police said.
Gagne was arrested for the same reason in January, when he was charged with stealing large amounts of electricity from CMP by climbing up the power pole outside his home and connecting jumper cable clamps to the transformer. He then ran a line from the transformer to the ground and to his house.
CMP went to his home twice to disconnect the power after the company became aware he was siphoning off power, but Gagne kept reconnecting it. Finally, CMP contacted police and asked for an escort to his house. State police said CMP estimated that Gagne stole power valued at more than $3,000.
Gagne’s criminal record in Maine includes one misdemeanor in 2006 for refusing to submit to arrest. That charged was dismissed after he agreed to plead to a charge of disorderly conduct.
This story will be updated.