A Jasonville man has been summoned to appear in Greene Superior Court on a Class A Misdemeanor charge of theft following a September incident at the Jasonville Family Dollar Store. 

A summons to appear in Greene Circuit Court on Nov. 20 was issued to Robert Simpson on Oct. 10. The summons stemmed from a Sept. 15 incident at the Jasonville Family Dollar Store. 

At that time, Jasonville Police Department Officer Brian Pilant was dispatched to the store in regard to a theft complaint. A store employee alleged that while she was outside on a smoke break, a juvenile exited the store, setting off the alarm system. The juvenile left the property on a bicycle. She alleged a male – later identified as Simpson – exited the store and asked if she’d seen the juvenile. The employee explained to Simpson that the juvenile had left on a bicycle. 

The employee told Pilant neither the juvenile nor Simpson paid for any items when exiting the store. Per the probable cause affidavit prepared by Jasonville Police Officer Dustin Cain, she told Pilant she was unsure what was taken. Still, she knew something was taken without being paid for in order to activate the alarm system.

Per Officer Cain’s request, Officer Pilant returned to the store on Sept. 16 to review surveillance footage. According to the probable cause affidavit, Pilant was able to identify the individuals. 

Officer Pilant traveled to a South Virgil Street residence to speak to Simpson. Simpson and the juvenile were asked to go to the Jasonville Police Department for interviews. 

Initially, Simpson, according to the probable cause, said he didn’t remember visiting any stores the previous day. Both individuals denied being at the store even though Pilant mentioned he had video footage. Pilant informed them they were both on camera and it was best to be honest. Simpson alleged he knew how things worked and Pilant was just trying to get them to tell on themselves. Pilant alleged he was giving them an opportunity to tell their side of the story. 

When Pilant told Simpson theft charges would be a misdemeanor, Simpson asked if he was being serious to which Pilant said he was. 

According to the probable cause affidavit, Simpson said he initially had two bags of detergent pods but put one back. He left the store with one package of detergent pods and did not pay for them. The juvenile suspect alleged he took two shampoo bottles without paying for them. 

Simpson is scheduled to appear in court on Nov. 20.