ATTLEBORO - Police say two residents of the former Bates Building downtown used maintenance keys to repeatedly burglarize two businesses on the ground floor, then broke windows so police would think the crimes were not an "inside job."

Timothy J. Blais, 24, and his roommate, Jason E. Precourt, 33, who live in an apartment in the building, were ordered held in jail on bail after arraignment Wednesday in Attleboro District Court.

Police allege Blais, whose father is the building's maintenance manager, took keys to Elco Floor Covering at 2 Park St., and Super Cleaners & Alterations at 5-7 North Main St., to gain access to the businesses.

Police Prosecutor Richard Woodhead said Blais told police he acted as a lookout while Precourt went inside the businesses and stole petty cash and deposits totaling more than $3,000 over the past four weeks.

Woodhead said Blais has no criminal record, while Precourt has a record, including larcenies, break-ins and arson. "Larceny is a passion of his," Woodhead said of Precourt during his bail argument.

But Precourt's lawyer, Peter V. Tekippe of Attleboro, argued that police lack enough evidence against Precourt, who gave no statement to police.

"The only evidence they have is the statement supplied by the co-defendant, who has keys to the property," Tekippe said.

Judge David Turcotte ordered Blais held in jail on $1,000 cash bail and Precourt held on $5,000 cash bail.

Turcotte also gave a stern warning to Precourt, who allegedly threatened Blais after their arrest. "If anything happens to him in jail, I'm going to triple your bail. You understand that?" Turcotte told Precourt, who is older and physically larger than Blais.

"Yes sir," Precourt replied.

Both men face six counts of breaking and entering and larceny, and are due back in court Dec. 17.