WATERVILLE, Maine — A local transient who allegedly stole a pouch from a woman’s purse containing more than $1,200 in jewelry Tuesday was trying to fuel his drug habit, according to police.
Jesse Peterson, 28, is facing multiple charges, including felony theft, stemming from the incident, according to Deputy Police Chief Charles Rumsey.
The woman and her husband were shopping at the Paragon Shop when Peterson took the pouch out of her purse and fled, according to Rumsey.
The victim was leaning over a counter perusing merchandise with her purse draped over her shoulder when the theft occurred, Rumsey said. The woman’s husband chased Peterson out of the store but he ran down several streets and into a nature trail.
Detective Dwayne Cloutier happened to be in the area when police were called and he was able to detain Peterson on the trail, Rumsey said.
Peterson gave up the pouch of jewelry and police also found a small baggie of cocaine in his pocket, Rumsey said, resulting in a cocaine possession charge. Minus one earring that apparently fell out of the pouch as Peterson was running, all of the jewelry was recovered.
Peterson was taken to Inland Hospital after complaining to police of illness before being transported to Kennebec County Jail.
