BELFAST — A South China man was arrested by Belfast Police last week, charging him with two felony counts of acquiring drugs by deception.

The arrest isn't the first contact Belfast Police have had with the man, according to Detective Sgt. Bryan Cunningham, originally thought to be named John Benton. The man, John Tyler, 65, first came to police attention earlier this summer after claiming to have purchased "bad meat" from Hannaford in Belfast – twice.

The first time Tyler, who identified himself to Hannaford staff as John Benton, complained of spoiled meat he was issued a gift card July 7 for $36.50 worth of product he claimed to have purchased there. Tyler then returned to Hannford July 9, according to Cunningham, this time claiming he'd again purchased spoiled meat from the store. This time, he estimated the loss at $60, claiming it also ruined vegetables in the dish he had prepared.

It was this second attempt to obtain a refund that prompted Hannaford staff to use surveillance cameras to follow Tyler to his vehicle. After reporting the incident to police, investigators were able to make out the vehicle's license plate. Once equipped with vehicle registration and a driver's license photo, police were able to match the picture with that of the man in the security footage, and Tyler's true identity.

Cunningham said the new charges stem from Tyler picking up prescription painkillers written for John Benton every time he visited the store. Investigators discovered the prescriptions originated from Waldo County General Hospital, where Tyler attempted to obtain more drugs on July 11 — this time, unsuccessfully.

Cunningham said that Tyler continued undeterred, trying instead to obtain drugs from St. Joseph's Hospital in Bangor, however that plan too was foiled because one of the doctors on duty also works for Waldo County General, and remembered Tyler. The doctor then called the Bangor Police Department, which charged Tyler with attempting to acquire drugs by deception.

Cunningham said Belfast Police then issued a warrant for Tyler's arrest, and on Sept. 12 he was apprehended in Kennebec County and charged with one count of acquiring drugs by deception and two counts of theft by deception. Cunningham said the theft charges are a result of his two attempts to obtain reimbursement for purchased meat — meat Cunningham said he believes never existed to begin with.

Erica Thoms can be reached at news@penbaypilot.com