An Atlanta man faces a theft charge after police say they found him riding a bicycle that had been reported stolen less than 12 hours before his arrest.
Officers of the Elizabethton Police Department arrested Christopher Hutchinson, 25, of 1135 Jefferson St. NW, Atlanta, Wednesday and charged him with theft of property.
On Tuesday night, officers received a report that a bicycle had been stolen from Burger King, 781 W. Elk Ave. The owner of the bike, Joseph Thomas, told officers a customer came into the restaurant and informed him a man was outside asking about Thomas’ bicycle.
“Mr. Thomas said he then went outside to check on his bicycle and it was gone,” EPD Sgt. Patrick White said.
Thomas gave officers a description of the bicycle. A witness came forward and told police she saw a man taking the bicycle and described him as a white male with blond hair and wearing a dark colored shirt and pants.
On Wednesday, officers received a tip that a man was seen on the stolen bicycle near the intersection of West Elk Avenue and West G Street. When EPD Officer Justin Pearce arrived in the area, he saw a man matching the description given by the witness riding a bicycle that looked like the one which had been reported stolen. Pearce spoke with the man, who was then identified as Hutchinson.
“I asked Hutchinson where he got the bike from and he first stated that ‘some old dude’ bought it for him and gave it to him somewhere near Wal-Mart,” Pearce said. “Hutchinson then changed his story and advised that he saw the bike at Burger King and was asking who the bike belonged to. Hutchinson advised that the same ‘old dude’ told him the bike was his and that he could have it because it would probably fit him better.”
Officers arrested Hutchinson and transported him to the Carter County Detention Center where he remains under a $500 bond. Hutchinson is scheduled to be arraigned in Carter County General Sessions Court today.