A meter reader was charged Tuesday with home invasion after he allegedly stole a six-pack of Pepsi from a home on his route.

Witnesses said Matt Cloutier, 31, a contract meter reader for DTE Energy, entered two houses in the 4000 block of Rockcroft near Dixie Highway on July 23. Witnesses saw Cloutier steal the soda from one of the homes, according to The Clarkston Eccentric.

Police told the paper that neighbors detained Cloutier until officers arrived.

Cloutier had been employed for about one month by AccuRead, which does contract work for DTE Energy, DTE Energy spokesperson Scott Simons told the paper.

Simons told the paper that "hundreds" of meter readers work for DTE Energy, and it's rare when there's a problem. Neighbors in this case did the right thing, he said.

Cloutier was arraigned on one count of home invasion-second-degree, a 15-year felony. He was also charged with one count of illegal entry, a 90-day misdemeanor.

Cloutier faces preliminary examination Friday in Clarkston District Court, the paper reported. He is free on $10,000 personal bond.