CARIBOU – A Fort Fairfield man is behind bars after he allegedly tried to steal cinnamon-flavored liquor from a grocery store by pouring it into an empty water bottle, according to police.

Heath DeMerchant, 28, was charged Tuesday evening with theft, refusing to submit to arrest and violation of bail, Officer Doug Bell of the Caribou Police Department said Wednesday.

Police received a shoplifting complaint at about 4:55 p.m. Tuesday from the local Shop ‘n Save supermarket. Store officials said they had seen DeMerchant open a $16 bottle of Fire and Ice in the store and pour it into an empty water bottle. Bell said they confronted the man after he left the store.

When police arrived and attempted to handcuff DeMerchant, Bell said that he attempted to flee. Officers took him to the ground and sprayed him with pepper spray.

DeMerchant spent the night at the Caribou Police Department, but before he left Wednesday morning, he was charged with criminal mischief for damaging the interior of his cell. Bell said DeMerchant was carving his name into the wall by chipping the paint.

DeMerchant made his first appearance in Presque Isle District Court on Wednesday morning. Because he was charged with violating his bail, he was placed in the custody of the Aroostook County Sheriff’s Department and taken to the Aroostook County Jail in Houlton. He is expected to remain there until his Aug. 30 arraignment in District Court and his Sept. 21 arraignment in Superior Court.

Officer Kevin St. Peter is the investigating officer in the case. He was assisted by Sgt. Paul Vincent.