Warren man charged in theft of tools, alcohol

A Warren man has been charged with possession of stolen tools reportedly taken from a home improvement store earlier this year, and deemed a habitual shoplifter after allegedly stealing a bottle of liquor in Warren just over two months ago.

Frank D. Calenda, 59, of 20 Croade St., Apt. 1, was charged on Thursday, Aug. 17, after police investigated two incidents that occurred in Warren in June.

On Sunday, June 4, police were called to Main Street after a van nearly struck a detail police officer directing traffic near Crescent Street. After pulling Mr. Calenda over near the scene, he was taken into custody for suspected DUI. During a search, police found several chainsaws, an electric hedge trimmer and a backpack leaf blower inside the van. All of the items were in their original packaging.

Two days later, Mr. Calenda was called to the station to discuss the property found in his van. He told police he bought the tools at a Worcester, Ma. flea market and since he had paid cash, he had no receipts. However, police investigated and determined that the items had been stolen from a Home Depot store in Smithfield.

The other incident occurred on Wednesday, June 14, when an employee of Patriot Liquors told police a man later identified as Mr. Calenda stole a bottle of Chivas Regal scotch from the store. Surveillance footage showed Mr. Calenda putting the bottle of scotch in his coat, Deputy Warren Police Chief Joseph Loiselle said.

Police this week charged Mr. Calenda with felony receiving stolen goods, misdemeanor shoplifting, and being a habitual shoplifter.