UNION, Maine — A 39-year-old Belfast man made his initial court appearance Monday on a charge that he allegedly used the online auction site eBay to sell farm equipment parts that had been stolen from his employer’s business.
Anthony Philbrook was charged with felony theft, and Judge Susan Sparaco set his bail at $1,000 cash.
According to an affidavit filed by police in Rockland District Court, Philbrook had worked at Union Farm Equipment and his job responsibilities there included inventory control.
His supervisor contacted police when he suspected Philbrook, who had recently left the company, of selling parts from Union Farm Equipment on eBay. Union Farm Equipment found shipments from the company going to people who were not in its customer database, according to the affidavit.
An investigation determined the amount of items sold totaled more than $18,000, according to the affidavit. The charge is a felony because of the amount of items alleged to have been stolen.
Philbrook was released on bail later Monday.