NASHUA – A Massachusetts man was arrested this week after Nashua Police charged him with stealing cell phones from local businesses.

Scott Rutkowski, 27, with a last known address of 4 Springfield Lane, Stoneham, Mass., was arrested Tuesday and charged with felony theft by unauthorized taking or transfer-consolidation, police said.

Police were called to a local AT&T retailer around 2 p.m. on April 3 where employees reported that a man had taken two cell phones worth more than $1,000 combined. The next day police were called around noon when employees at another AT&T store reported that the same man had taken another two phones worth more than $900, police said.

Detectives investigated and later issued a warrant for Rutkowski’s arrest. On June 30, Crystal Surrette, 28, was charged with the same offense. Police say the pair worked together to commit the thefts.

Rutkowski was held at the Nashua Police Department on $3,000 cash or surety bail pending an arraignment at Nashua district court, police said.

The Class A felony is punishable by up to 15 years in prison plus fines, police said.

– JOSEPH G. COTE