BANGOR, Maine — The smear of chocolate on his face gave him away.

Employees at the Rite Aid on Union Street called police at about 7:40 p.m. Monday to deal with a shoplifter in the store stealing candy. Officer Jamie Fanning found the man with candy residue on his face, Bangor police Sgt. Paul Edwards said Tuesday.





“The guy actually took a bite out of a candy bar and put it back,” the sergeant said.

Eugene Sylvia, 35, of Bangor initially lied to Fanning, who mentioned to Sylvia that he had a “smudge mark on his face that looked like chocolate,” Edwards said, reading from her report.

Sylvia then admitted to stealing the candy and was charged with theft. He was not arrested.

Sylvia was convicted of theft by unauthorized taking or transfer in 2008 and fined $500, according to a prior court listing printed in the Bangor Daily News. (Nok-Noi Ricker, BDN)