AUGUSTA — Bail for a man accused of robbing the Big Apple store on Civic Center Drive — who was spotted fleeing the store and soon thereafter caught by a passing police officer — was set at $5,000 on Monday.

Conditions of release for Jesse D. Nichols, 29, include that he stay away from the Big Apple store he allegedly robbed Sunday afternoon, not have any contact with the clerk working there at the time and that he not use or possess alcohol, illegal drugs or firearms. Nichols has been charged by Augusta Police with class B robbery and class D theft.

He did not enter a plea to either of those charges Monday in his initial court appearance made by video from Kennebec County jail.

Stephen Bourget, representing Nichols as attorney of the day, reserved the right for Nichols to argue for bail in the future, saying he should have an attorney representing him full-time to review bail on his behalf. Nichols, clad in a green jail uniform, said he has applied for a court-appointed attorney.

A dispositional conference on the case is scheduled for April 16.

Jesse D. Nichols

Nichols was arrested Sunday afternoon, a short time after Officer Jonathan Provisor spotted him fleeing from the store while on patrol in the Civic Center Drive and Townsend Road area, according to a news release.

Deputy Police Chief Kevin Lully said in a news release Provisor heard shouting voices coming from the direction of the 146 Civic Center Drive convenience store and immediately saw a man fleeing, with a clerk following behind him. Lully said the store clerk later reported Nichols entered the store and demanded money.

Lully said the incident “is an excellent example of an officer diligently patrolling his district and remaining in tune to his surroundings.”

Judge Geoffrey Rushlau said the probable cause statement in the case indicated Nichols said his conduct in the incident was based on his drug addiction.

Keith Edwards — 621-5647
kedwards@centralmaine.com
Twitter: @kedwardskj