NASHUA – Released in December after six weeks in jail, Hooksett resident Christopher Bourget was arrested again Jan. 7 and released on bail.

Now, Bourget is back in Valley Street jail, held on $2,500 cash or surety bail after yet another arrest, this one by Nashua police on Tuesday, according to a prosecutor.

Bourget, 37, is charged once again with theft, which, although the items he allegedly attempted to steal are valued under $1,500, qualifies as a felony because Bourget has previously been convicted of at least two theft charges.

Bourget was jailed overnight, and on Wednesday went before a Superior Court judge for arraignment and a bail hearing.

Assistant County Attorney Brett Harpster asked Judge Charles Temple to set Bourget’s bail at $10,000 cash or surety. Meanwhile, defense attorney Eleftheria Keans asked for personal recognizance bail, or $200 cash bail, the amount on which he was jailed overnight.

Temple settled on $2,500 cash or surety bail, citing Bourget’s criminal history and his “failure to abide by court orders.”

According to Harpster, Nashua police were called on Tuesday to Target, 600 Amherst St., by employees who reported a man had “attempted to remove” two vacuum cleaners, one valued at about $500, the other, valued at about $450, allegedly without “making any attempt to pay for them.”

Police said in their reports that when they asked the man, later identified as Bourget, why he allegedly didn’t pay for the vacuums, he reportedly told them he “just got out of jail” and “needed money.”

According to Harpster, Bourget told police he “sells stuff” online to raise money, allegedly to buy drugs.

In asking for personal recognizance or low bail, Keans told the court he has a residence in Hooksett, where he would live if released, and noted that he has never been charged with failing to appear in court.

“This is a man who, when he’s told to come to court, he comes to court,” Keans said.

And while Bourget does have a criminal record, Keans said none of the offenses involve violence or resulted in anyone being injured.

If Bourget makes bail, he is ordered to live at the Hooksett residence and stay away from the Amherst Street Target store.

He is next due in court Feb. 6 for a dispositional hearing.

Dean Shalhoup may be reached at 594-1256, or at dshalhoup@nashuatelegraph.com.

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