A Seneca Falls man with a recent history of arrests is facing new charges after police say he stole merchandise from a local business and violated a court order.
Officers arrested 47-year-old Richard A. Wollek on Wednesday, April 9, after an investigation into the alleged theft. Authorities said Wollek was located and taken into custody without incident.
Wollek was charged with petit larceny, a class A misdemeanor. During the investigation, police discovered he had also violated a Class A Stay Away Order of Protection, resulting in an additional charge of second-degree criminal contempt, also a class A misdemeanor.
Police processed Wollek and transported him to the Seneca County Correctional Facility to await arraignment.
The arrest is the latest in a series of charges against Wollek in recent weeks. On March 7, he was arrested for allegedly stealing merchandise from a local store. Officers said he was found in possession of the stolen items and charged with petit larceny.
On February 28, Wollek was accused of shoplifting from the Walmart on North Road. Police said he passed all points of sale without paying for several items. He was again charged with petit larceny and released pending a court date.
On March 24, he was arrested following a domestic incident in which police said he threw a chair, slapped the victim multiple times, and put his hands on their neck. At the time, a class B order of protection was in effect, barring him from making physical contact with the victim.
In that case, Wollek was charged with first-degree criminal contempt, a class E felony, along with second-degree harassment and disorderly conduct. He was transported to the Seneca County Correctional Facility.
Wollek was also arrested in December after police in Wayne County said he destroyed a camper and assaulted a woman with a television.
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