Last modified: Saturday, June 7, 2008 1:27 AM EDT Couple allegedly steals cans to buy gas BY TED NESI SUN CHRONICLE STAFF ATTLEBORO - An Attleboro couple has been charged with the theft of crushed cans from a Shaw's Supermarket, allegedly so they could be sold for gas money. Harry R. Crompton, 25, and his girlfriend, Risa A. Merrill, 21, both of 31 Falcon Drive, were arraigned Friday in Attleboro District Court. The couple allegedly were spotted shortly after noon on Thursday stealing bags of crushed cans from behind a chain-link fence near the loading dock of the Shaw's in Bristol Plaza, police Officer Joseph Enegren said. Merrill told police that Crompton, whom she said is her fiance, would climb the 7-foot fence and then toss the bags of crushed cans to her so she could load them in the car. The couple would later sell them to Berger & Co. Recycling in Pawtucket for $12 to $25 a bag, depending on its weight, she said. "I needed some extra money to go pick up my father-in-law from Franklin, and I had no (other) way of getting it," she wrote in a statement to police. Crompton refused to be interviewed by police. The two were caught Thursday by Paul D'Entremont, the store's receiver, who shouted at them to leave. Crompton yelled "Sorry!" as he and Merrill drove off in a Suburban sport utility vehicle, D'Entremont told police. Merrill said the two left with only one bag, which they later sold for $18. She also told police it was the third time they had stolen crushed cans from Shaw's in the past two weeks. Crompton pleaded guilty to the crime and was released on probation after being ordered to pay court costs. Merrill plans to contest the charge, and was told to return for a pretrial hearing on Aug. 29.