Two Richmond men were summonsed for theft after allegedly stealing the donation jar from the Umberhine Public Library last month, and a third has been identified and is facing charges.
Following the Jan. 20 theft, the Richmond Police Department posted photos on its Facebook page of three suspects taken from a surveillance video and asked for the public’s help finding them.
On Jan. 28, Richmond police arrested and charged Patrick Alexander, 19, of Richmond with violation of conditional release, and summonsed him for theft.
Trevor Korineck, 20, also of Richmond, was issued a summons for theft.
The two are scheduled to appear in West Bath District court on March 15.
Richmond Police Chief Scott Mac- Master said the third suspect, 20-year-old Alexander Nappe, has a last known address of Auburn and also faces a theft charge. If Richmond police can’t make contact with him soon, they will issue an arrest warrant for him.
The library theft occurred on Jan. 20 at around noon. Librarian Donna Mc- Cluskey and her assistant were in the library at 86 Main St., when they noticed two individuals standing outside waiting for a ride and having a cigarette. McCluskey told them if they’d like to warm up, they could come in the library, MacMaster said.
The two accepted the invitation and walked into the library. They were in the library for a couple minutes, used the bathroom and one of them stole a soda, according to the security footage.
They made small talk with the librarians, MacMaster said, before they got into a blue Toyota Corolla that arrived to pick them up.
They moved the vehicle around the building and one of the subjects, Patrick Alexander, allegedly “ran into the library and took the donation jug and ran off with it, popping back into the car,” MacMaster said.
McCluskey saw the jug being taken and immediately reported the incident to police.
MacMaster said police believe between $150 and $200 in assorted bills and change were in the jug.
“We’re thinking they equally distributed it among the three individuals,” he said.
Richmond police knew the car belonged to Korineck, MacMaster said, from a couple weeks prior when he was issued a summons for criminal speed on Front Street. Police released photos of the suspects hoping the individuals would come forward and do the right thing.
About a week later, on Jan. 28, MacMaster drove by the Family Dollar store on Main Street and spotted a car with three males in it, matching the description of the car suspected of being involved in the theft. He and officer James Donnell pulled the vehicle over in front of the library. Korineck was driving, Alexander was in the back seat and a third male in the passenger seat was not involved.
MacMaster said Alexander had been released on pre-trial bail on an aggravated forgery charge out of West Bath District Court. Police questioned him briefly during the stop, obtained a picture of him and after the stop were able to positively identify him through video surveillance and an eyewitness. Police then arrested Alexander and after further investigation, Korineck was issued a summons.
“If anybody knows Donna, she has just a heart of gold,” MacMaster said, referring to the librarian.
MacMaster said McCluskey was trying to show the men kindness by inviting them in to warm up and had spoken to them about the services offered by the library.
“And next thing you know they’re stealing donated money to go directly to those programs,” MacMaster said.
In response to the theft, resident Missy Dore created a GoFundMe campaign to help replenish the stolen money, which to date surpassed the goal more than threefold to $1,620.
“It’s just amazing what this town will do,” said McCluskey, referring to how the town pulls together. “I’m glad I live here.”
A changing table will be installed in the bathrooms with the money and library staff are working on their wish list of items the library budget can’t support, for the library board to consider.
There will soon be another donation jar in the library despite the theft, according to McCluskey.
“That’s not going to deter us,” she said.
dmoore@timesrecord.com
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