AUGUSTA — A Sidney man with a history of stealing tools and construction equipment is back behind bars, charged with burglarizing a Manchester property where a home is being constructed for Travis Mills, a war veteran and quadruple amputee.

Clinton Uriah Bates II, 36, had been out of jail on probation for about a month when he was arrested on a warrant early Saturday and taken to the Kennebec County jail.

Bates made an initial appearance Monday by video in Kennebec County Superior Court on one count of burglary and three counts of theft by unauthorized taking.

In late March, Bates was sentenced to 15 years in prison, with all but nine months suspended, and seven years of probation for stealing a tailgate, machinery and dozens of tools from local contractors and construction sites over a 19-month period. He was also ordered to pay up to $65,225 restitution.

Because he had been held for some time prior to pleading guilty, he was released almost immediately.

Now, it appears he will face charges of violating probation as well.

According to an affidavit filed in court by Kennebec County Sheriff’s Deputy Aaron Moody, Tiffany Fitzpatrick, 26, of Augusta, said she and Bates on April 23 went to Walmart, where she stole LED lights, black gloves and vise grips to use in burglaries that night.

She told police Bates drove them to the Pond Road construction site in Manchester.

“After scouting it out they went to the house and both took multiple tools valuing approximately $4,000 (including a new Honda generator),” Moody wrote.

Fitzpatrick told investigators the two unloaded the items in the kitchen at their Winter Street home in Augusta and covered them with a blanket. They then went on to burglarize another home under construction in Windsor, where Bates allegedly stole a heavy green air compressor, she said.

Early on April 24, three contractors at Mills’ home site reported the theft of a Honda generator, nailing and framing guns and impact drivers, chop saw and cordless screw guns, and drill bit sets.

Police later found some of the missing items at Augusta Pawn Shop. Workers there kept the items after another couple tried to pawn them.

The store had been notified earlier in the day by Maine State Police about the theft of the green air compressor from Windsor.

While Bates and Fitzpatrick were arrested and charged with burglary and theft, four other people were summonsed on charges of possession of stolen property.

Betty Adams can be contacted at 621-5631 or at:

badams@centralmaine.com

Twitter: @betadams

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