A 20-year delivery driver for H.P. Hood has been accused of stealing small amounts of Hood products — mostly milk and ice cream — from a number of Portland-area accounts, then reselling the products to other businesses.

Duane R. Greaton, 41, of 181 Hatch Road, New Gloucester, was arrested Friday by the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office on an outstanding warrant for theft by unauthorized taking.

Greaton, who delivered products in the Portland area, is charged with stealing more than $10,000 worth of Hood products between 2007 and 2009, said Capt. Don Goulet of the sheriff’s department.

“Whatever he could get, he was selling,” Goulet said. “He even built a refrigerated storage area in his house.”

Lt. Don Foss, who was involved with the investigation, said Greaton may have been scheduled to deliver 100 cases of milk to Hannaford, but would keep 10 cases for himself.

He would then sell that stolen milk to mom and pop stores and sometimes to individuals, Foss said.

Greaton was fired from Lynnfield, Mass.-based Hood last year after a private investigation, according to Hood spokeswoman Lynne Bohan. The company then handed the information over to the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office.

Goulet said Greaton, who stored the stolen goods at his home before reselling them, went into hiding. His arrest followed a tip from a member of the public.

Greaton was released on $1,000 cash bail Friday evening. He is scheduled to appear in Portland District Court on Aug. 11.

Greaton had been scheduled to be featured on WGME TV’s “Fugitive Files” segment Monday, but due to his arrest the segment was canceled.

 

Staff Writer Beth Quimby can be contacted at 791-6363 or at: bquimby@pressherald.com