(La Porte, IN) - A man left a local hardware store twice without paying for hundreds of dollars and more in merchandise.

 

Now, he’s looking at potential time in prison.

 

Donnie James, 30, is charged in La Porte Circuit Court with two counts of Level 6 felony theft.

 

On July 11, police said he stole several spools of wire from Kablein Ace Hardware on E. Lincolnway.  Two days later, the La Porte man allegedly stole more spools of wire along with a few hundred dollars in tools from the same store.

 

According to police, James was last seen leaving in a maroon colored sedan after the first theft and a black SUV following the second heist.

 

Police said investigators identified James from store surveillance video.

 

He was taken into custody Monday by Michigan City Police on a warrant issued for his arrest.  The stolen goods were valued at nearly $2,000.  He could face anywhere from a six month to 30 month sentence on each count.