ALTON, Ill. (AP) – An Alton man who was supposed to be helping investigators in an undercover probe now is now accused of making off with electronic surveillance equipment worth thousands of dollars.

Twenty-seven-year-old William Cole is charged with felony theft and criminal damage to government property.

Investigators tell The (Alton) Telegraph that Cole was working with detectives on an undercover drug buy Monday when he allegedly bolted with the equipment.

Cole was found Tuesday at an Alton home and arrested by an officer who used a stun gun to stop him from fleeing.

Police say most of the electronic equipment has been recovered.

Cole couldn’t be reached for comment Thursday. He has an unlisted home telephone, and online court records don’t show whether he has an attorney.

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