CALAIS – An Alexander man who worked as a part-time driver for United Parcel Service has been charged with the theft of 1,000 Maine State Lottery scratch-off tickets.

Police Sgt. David Randall said UPS security personnel notified the Calais Police Department late last year that four boxes of scratch-off tickets had been stolen.

The first box was shipped in September. The others followed in October, November and December. Depending on the size of an order, tickets are shipped in boxes ranging in size from a shoebox up.

“I think the stores noticed they weren’t getting the tickets,” Randall said. “They contacted the lottery commission, which did some tracking to find out where they were. And they contacted UPS. Then UPS did their investigation and contacted me,” he said.

Last week, Wayne Dwelley, 27, was arrested and charged with theft. He is expected to appear in 4th District Court in Calais on March 5.

Because the issue has not been resolved, a UPS spokesman said Tuesday, company policy is not to comment. “The gentleman is no longer employed by us,” said Nate Clory, UPS’ Northeast regional communications manager.

Randall also confirmed that Dwelley worked for UPS.

During his investigation, Randall said, he was able to trace some of the tickets to area stores where they had been cashed. “A total of $1,200 worth of tickets were cashed in Calais. The Baileyville Police Department had a similar amount cashed in Baileyville,” he said.

Prizes for winning scratch tickets range from $1 to $25,000. Other possible prizes include a pickup truck and a $100,000 road trip that includes a $75,000 Winnebago.

Randall said some tickets also were cashed at another Washington County store that he did not identify. He said the investigation has been turned over to the Washington County Sheriff’s Department.

“There are also several towns in Penobscot and Hancock counties [where tickets were taken] that will be passed on to police departments there,” he said.

Randall said more charges are expected to be filed against Dwelley, and two other people are expected to be charged in connection with the incident.