FAYETTEVILLE — A man jailed Wednesday in connection with the theft of water valves from businesses was arrested again Thursday, reportedly after committing the same crime.
Robert Lansing Shortt, 34, of 2132 N. Garland Ave. in Fayetteville told police who arrested him the first time he was stealing the material so he could pay for an attorney to defend him against a driving while intoxicated charge, according to a preliminary report to the prosecutor’s office.
Shortt was initially arrested Wednesday in connection with felony charges involving theft of property and first-degree criminal mischief.
According to a preliminary arrest report, police responded to several theft reports Wednesday at businesses in Fayetteville, including Red Lobster, Kirklands, Firehouse Subs and Verizon Wireless.
Witnesses described a man seen taking backflow water valves. Police checked at a local recycling center and learned a man later identified as Shortt sold 295 pounds of brass, with an estimated $658 value.
Police searched his garage and reportedly found 25 valves. Short admitted to taking 10 of the valves with an estimated value of $3,900, according to preliminary reports. He was arrested and transported to the Washington County Detention Center.
After being released from jail, Short was taken into police custody a second time on Friday after a business owner complained a man was removing a water valve.
He was arrested on a felony theft of property charge and taken back to jail.