A Linton man charged with the theft of a bicycle and resisting law enforcement allegedly said he’d been having a rough time and it would be easier to ride a bike instead of walking everywhere.

Chance Matthew Schubla, 35, Linton, was arrested on Saturday, September 21, by Officer Nick Yingling of the Linton Police Department.

Officer Yingling was out on regular patrol when he was dispatched to the area of 4th and E Streets NE on the report of a man wearing an orange shirt and tan shorts attempting to take a bicycle. He located a man matching the description walking west in an alley between E and F Streets NE and recognized him as Schubla.

Yingling reported he saw a bicycle nearby and when he asked Schubla if he had moved the bike, Schubla said he didn’t know. When asked if he’d taken anything else, Schubla allegedly said no.

Yingling informed Schubla he was going to be detained for more questioning but when the officer moved toward Schubla and grabbed his wrist, Schubla pulled away. Another attempt was made to get hold of his wrist but Schubla managed to pull away and started running east.

Yingling reported when Schubla was approaching 4th Street, a car was approaching and he caught up to him and grabbed him, redirecting Schubla away from the road, but they both fell to the ground and Schubla struggled in his effort to avoid handcuffs.

Yingling said two citizens then approached and assisted with holding Schubla while he was handcuffed. The two citizens said they had witnessed the events. Officer Yingling said one told him he saw Schubla walking in the area, then walk toward the bike, then push the bike into an alley behind buildings. The man said the bicycle had been laying against a building used for people to donate items to be given to those in need of assistance.

Schubla was booked into jail around 5:45 p.m. with bond set at $2,000 surety with ten percent cash allowed. As of Thursday, September 26, he had not yet posted bond and remained in jail.

Yesterday, Wednesday, September 25, Schubla was in Greene Superior Court for his initial hearing and was charged with theft, a Class A misdemeanor, and resisting law enforcement – knowingly or intentionally forcibly resisting, a Class A misdemeanor.

According to Officer Yingling, while transporting Schubla to jail, Schubla said he has had a rough time and has been walking everywhere, that it would be nice to not have to walk, and that it would be easier to ride a bike.