A Bloomfield man is accused of taking a Christmas tree and some firewood from a store in Bloomfield before the holidays. A criminal case was filed against him this week and he was arrested yesterday.

Justin Cole Crosby, 38, Bloomfield, was arrested by Deputy Marshal Wayman JR Blazier of the Bloomfield Police Department on Thursday, January 14.

Officer Blazier was dispatched to the Dollar General Store on US 231 South, Bloomfield, back on Wednesday, November 18, around 5:45 p.m. When he arrived, the store manager told him a man had been in the store and had selected a Christmas tree, some firewood and another item, later determined to be a set of headphones, and had walked out of the store without paying.

A customer who was in the store at the time was able to get the plate number of the suspect’s vehicle and the manager gave Officer Blazier a piece of paper with the plate number for a handicapped veteran’s plate and a note that the vehicle was a red Ford Ranger with a camper shell on the back.

Officer Blazier then viewed surveillance video of the incident. He reported the video confirmed the manager’s story.

A records check revealed the vehicle was registered to Justin Cole Crosby who lived on North Cold Springs Road, Bloomfield.

Officer Blazier reported that when he arrived at the suspect’s residence and walked up to the door, he could see Crosby and a woman inside the residence setting up a Christmas tree.

Crosby was cooperative and allegedly admitted he had taken the Christmas tree and the other items. He said he was sorry. Officer Blazier placed all the items in his patrol vehicle and returned them to the Dollar Store. The total value of the items amounted to $74.90.

Officer Blazier then returned to Crosby’s residence with a no-trespassing form and advised Crosby that if he returned to the Dollar General store or property including the parking lot, he could be arrested for criminal trespassing.

Officer Blazier said Crosby’s criminal record includes a prior conviction for theft in 2015 in Martin County.

A criminal case was filed against Crosby this week and a warrant was issued for his arrest. He was taken into custody and booked into the Greene County Jail at 5:25 p.m. yesterday. His bond was set at $4,000 surety with ten percent cash allowed. He posted $400 and was released later the same day.

Crosby is scheduled to appear in Greene Superior Court for an initial hearing on January 28. He’s facing a preliminary charge of theft, a Level 6 felony.