BANGOR – Two men were indicted Monday by the Penobscot County grand jury for their alleged involvement in a convenience store theft last month that was foiled by a store clerk.

Stephen C. Fessenden, 48, and his nephew Michael Robinson, 25, both of Bangor, were indicted on charges of theft by unauthorized taking in connection with the Nov. 9 incident.

The original robbery charges against the men were downgraded because neither man used significant force in carrying out the theft, Assistant District Attorney Greg Campbell said Tuesday.

If convicted, each man faces up to five years in prison.

The two allegedly tried to steal $1,700 in cash and checks from the Corner Store, 575 Hammond St., but were thwarted by a store clerk who held them until police arrived.

Robinson allegedly distracted the clerk while Fessenden took items from the store safe. Fessenden fled with a moneybag in hand, but the clerk caught him outside after a brief chase, police said.

After the clerk subdued Fessenden, Robinson apparently tried to free his uncle, but the clerk subdued him, too, according to police.

Both men denied involvement in the incident at the time. They are scheduled to be arraigned Dec. 23 in Penobscot County Superior Court along with the others indicted Monday by the grand jury.

In an unrelated case, Christopher M. Gelo, 29, of Bangor was indicted Monday for reportedly purchasing drugs over the Internet illegally and selling them.

Gelo was indicted on charges of unlawful trafficking of scheduled drugs, unlawful possession of scheduled drugs and criminal forfeiture. If convicted, he faces up to 10 years in prison on the trafficking charge.

Authorities charged Gelo after he went to pick up three packages containing nearly 500 pills he had bought from online pharmacies and had sent to package delivery facilities, police said.

Also indicted Monday were:

Kariann Barnes, 19, Orono, theft by unauthorized taking.

Damon E. Bisacre Jr., 21, Bangor, unlawful trafficking of scheduled drugs.

John A. Bryer, 26, Dexter, aggravated criminal mischief.

Christopher Coty, 25, Hampden, operating after revocation.

Calais S. Curtis, 20, Bangor, theft by unauthorized taking.

Douglas Garneau, 43, Dexter, theft by unauthorized taking, two counts burglary.

Gordon J. Ginnish Jr., 18, Plymouth, theft by unauthorized taking.

Donna J. Girouard, 45, Old Town, operating after revocation.

Gary A. Goodwin, 24, Argyle Township, unlawful trafficking of scheduled drugs.

Benjamin Graves, 18, Greenbush, six counts burglary, five counts theft by unauthorized taking, two counts criminal mischief.

Joshua D. Harmon, 18, Millinocket, burglary, theft by unauthorized taking, aggravated criminal mischief.

Bobby L. Harvey, 24, Levant, unlawful trafficking of scheduled drugs.

Brent Inman, 35, Holden, eluding an officer, criminal operating under the influence, driving to endanger, operating after suspension, criminal speed, failure to sign summons.

David Tyler Jones, 21, Dover-Foxcroft, unlawful trafficking of scheduled drugs.

Angela H. Mantha, 26, Bangor, unlawful trafficking of scheduled drugs, operating after suspension.

Tino Marino, 27, transient, unlawful trafficking of scheduled drugs.

Todd A. McCafferty, 42, Mattawamkeag, possession of a firearm by a prohibited person, criminal OUI.

Earl J. Orsie III, 46, transient, failure to register as a sex offender.

Christopher S. Paul, 23, Pleasant Point, aggravated forgery, assault, criminal OUI, escape, refusing to submit to arrest, failure to stop for an officer, operating after suspension, receiving stolen property.

Kevin F. Pingree, 35, Ripley, operating after revocation, criminal OUI, failure to sign summons.

Timothy J. Reardon Jr., 20, Old Town, robbery.

Gary Reynolds, 47, Milbridge, unlawful trafficking of scheduled drugs.

Amy Richard, 34, Bangor, five counts negotiating a worthless instrument.

Arnold W. Robbins, 42, Dedham, operating after revocation.

Nicholas Sexton, 24, unknown address, seven counts violating condition of release.

Bertha Stanley, 24, Orono, theft by unauthorized taking.

Rebecca Stanley, 21, Bangor, gross sexual assault, unlawful sexual contact.

Joseph Varricchio, 23, St. Albans, theft by unauthorized taking.

Tanya M. Wilcox, 24, unknown address, failure to appear.

Christy L. Williams, 29, Milo, theft by unauthorized taking, forgery.