Just five months after getting out of state prison for burglary, 29-year-old Steven S. Defelice Jr. is in trouble with the law again.

This time, he’s suspected of robbing the Family Dollar store in the Pullman Square shopping plaza in Butler.

City police on Monday got an arrest warrant for Defelice after a clerk recently identified him as the man who robbed the store last month.

Police believe Defelice on Nov. 14 stole a $1.75 Sharpie pen from the discount store. When the clerk and two customers tried to stop him, he fought back, according to court documents.

During the struggle with the customers, police said, store merchandise was knocked off shelves and racks. Defelice eventually bolted out the store and ran from police officers, making his getaway through yards and traffic-filled streets.

But in his escape, he dropped a black ski mask, a black glove and a black backpack.

A search of the backpack turned up a small wooden box. Inside the box was a used syringe, a crack pipe and other suspected drug contraband, documents said.

Defelice’s name first surfaced during the investigation on Nov. 25. Four days later, police said, one of the store’s clerks identified him as the robber.

He is charged with robbery, retail theft, resisting arrest and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Defelice is no stranger to the criminal justice system.

Butler police in September 2011 arrested him on charges that he broke into his uncle’s home and stole jewelry, collectible coins and a World War II-era revolver.

Days later police arrested Defelice at a gold store in Center Township trying to sell coins, court documents said. He still had 100 collectible coins and 20 pieces of jewelry on him.

Police eventually recovered more stolen coins and jewelry as well as the stolen revolver.

He pleaded guilty in 2012 to a charge of burglary in the case and was sentenced to 1 to 3 years in state prison. He served about two years before being released June 14.

Defelice’s criminal record showed other felony convictions, including one for robbery in May 2006.

In that robbery, state police said in charging documents, Defelice, then 20, was arrested for scuffling with a Boscov’s security officer after shoplifting merchandise from the store at the Clearview Mall in Center Township.

Under state law, because Defelice used force during the crime, he turned the retail theft into a robbery.

The store security officer suffered cuts and bruises in the struggle.

Defelice, who dropped the items valued at $150, got away but was caught in Butler.

Defelice later that year pleaded guilty to a charge of robbery, court records showed, and was sentenced to 15 to 60 months in state prison.