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Bloomfield man accused of auto theft

A Bloomfield man is facing a felony charge for taking his mother's van without permission and failing to return it as requested.

mathew james harmon

Mathew James Harmon, 36, Bloomfield, was arrested yesterday afternoon, Thursday, March 23, on a warrant that was issued last November after an incident that occurred in October was investigated by Deputy Harvey Holt of the Greene County Sheriff's Department.

Deputy Holt was dispatched on October 6, 2022, after a woman reported her vehicle had been stolen from her residence on North Lawrence Hollow Drive in eastern Greene County by her son, Matthew James Harmon.

When he arrived and spoke to her, she said her son lives with her but does not have permission to drive her vehicle, a gold 2010 Chrysler Town and Country. She said on October 5, she was sleeping when Harmon couldn't find a ride to work and took the keys to her van and left without asking to take it. She said he has never had permission to drive her vehicle without asking and she would always tell him no. She said she tried to get him to return the van by calling and texting him several times on October 5 and October 6 without a response although she did talk to him around lunchtime on October 5 when he admitted taking the vehicle without permission. She told him to return the vehicle as soon as he was off work because she had plans but he did not return the vehicle and stopped answering his phone.

Deputy Holt reported the van was located unoccupied on N St. in Bloomington where he talked to the resident who said Harmon had showed up there early October 6 but then left in the van.

Deputy Holt was unable to locate Harmon for an interview and a warrant was issued for his arrest on November 9. The warrant has been outstanding since then.

On Thursday, Harmon was booked into the Greene County Jail at 2:58 PM with bond set at $4000 surety with 10% cash allowed.

Harmon is currently scheduled to appear in Greene Superior Court for his initial hearing on a charge of auto theft - theft of entire motor vehicle, a Level 6 felony.