CALAIS – A Baileyville man who worked as a driver for United Parcel Service has been charged with theft of NASCAR collectible cars, police said.

After a seven-month investigation, Michael Pelletier was charged with taking merchandise valued at more than $2,000.

A UPS spokesman said Tuesday that Pelletier no longer works for the company.

Police Chief Michael Milburn said some of the small collectible cars have been found and that some of the items were sold over eBay, an Internet auction site, but not by Pelletier.

Police would not say how many items were involved.

NASCAR is an acronym for the National Association for Stock Car Racing. Miniatures of the cars identified with their drivers are popular items for collectors. One Web-based store, for example, was offering a Sterling Marlin Coors car for $64.95 on Tuesday.

Although few details have been revealed, Sgt. David Randall said Tuesday that police were called to investigate after being alerted by UPS security representative Kevin McGonigle. The delivery service began its own investigation after customers complained that they had not received the merchandise they had ordered.

Nate Clory, UPS’ Northeast regional communications manager, on Tuesday did not address the specifics of the case, but said that whenever the company is made aware of a problem, it moves quickly to protect its customer merchandise. Part of the problem, Clory said, is that in some instances a customer receives only a partial shipment over a period. So a problem is not always immediately evident.

This is the second time in recent months there have been arrests in connection with items stolen from UPS in Washington County.

In February, police summoned Wayne Dwelley, 27, of Alexander and charged him with theft after he allegedly stole 1,000 Maine State Lottery scratch-off tickets valued at more than $2,000. UPS security personnel notified Calais police late last year that four boxes of scratch-off tickets were stolen. Dwelley had worked as a part-time driver for the company.

Also charged in connection with the lottery tickets was Karie Carter, 23, of Calais. She was charged with theft after she allegedly cashed $100 worth of the stolen lottery tickets at the Shop ‘n Save store in Calais. She did not work for UPS.

A probable cause hearing has been set for May 21 in 4th District Court in Calais for both Dwelley and Carter.

Milburn said the Pelletier case was still under investigation.