A 29-year-old man arrested last Friday on multiple charges associated with the manufacture of methamphetamine after he was allegedly caught shoplifting was back in court Wednesday morning where the formal charges were read to him.

Benjamin Prouty is now charged with attempted manufacture of methamphetamine, possession of lithium metal, possession of methamphetamine, interference with law enforcement, possession of stolen property, possession of drug paraphernalia, felony theft and criminal damage to property.

Prouty is alleged to have stolen merchandise at K-Mart at 1320 East 30th, in Hutchinson which led to the search of the vehicle he was driving and finding items consistent with the manufacture of methamphetamine.

The 1999 Ford Taurus had been reported stolen and has now been returned to the owner. Prouty claims he knows nothing of the items to produce meth, which were apparently found in the trunk of the vehicle.

He remains jailed 57-thousand, 750-dollar bond and with the formal charges filed, the case will move to a waiver-status docket on December 14.

Prouty was recently discharged from a prison sentence for convictions of aggravated assault, possession of drugs, and theft for cases out of Rice County. That was back on October 17.