BELFAST — A Stockton Springs man was ordered to pay $20,750 restitution in Belfast Unified Courts June 27, for the Dec. 2015, theft of several checks.

Devin O’Brien, 21, was convicted of forgery, and theft by unauthorized taking or transfer for stealing checks from a neighbor’s residence, in addition to other items.

The six checks were noticed missing after one of them was cashed for $2,500, according to an affidavit filed by Waldo County Sheriff’s Office Detective Merl Reed.

During the course of investigation, Reed was able to track the origin of the missing check back to O’Brien, though several others were charged for their later involvement.

When Reed investigated O’Brien’s residence, a relative volunteered to search the room for missing items. During this search several items were discovered that were later confirmed missing by the victims, including ammunition and an airsoft rifle.

A key was also discovered concealed in a DVD case in O’Brien’s closet that his relative didn’t recognize. After taking the key to the neighbor’s home Reed found that it unlocked their front door.

In addition to restitution, O’Brien was sentenced to 18 months in prison with all but seven days suspended, and two years of probation.

O’Brien was sentenced to seven days in jail for forgery.

Erica Thoms can be reached at news@penbaypilot.com