A 31-year-old Linton man was arrested May 23 on charges of theft and resisting law enforcement after taking a spiral staircase without permission from a residence.

When Officer Waymon JR Blazier of the Linton Police Department took a theft report from a property owner, the owner informed the office he noticed a spiral metal staircase, valued at approximately $250, was missing from one of his properties and was located at another property of his which was occupied by Michael Edmonson. The property owner also noted he has recently filed an eviction notice against Edmonson.

When Officer Blazier went to Edmonson’s residence to speak to him about the incident, he observed the staircase sitting in the yard. Edmonson alleged he did not steal the item, rather he moved it from one of the owner’s properties to another. Officer Blazier wrote in the probable cause affidavit he explained to Edmonson that he did not have permission to move items from one property to his rented property without permission. Edmonson, Blazier said, argued with him about the incident.

When Blazier informed Edmonson he was being placed under arrest for theft, he became belligerent and began to pull away and attempt to kick him as well as Officer Cayden Walker.

During transport to the Greene County Jail, Blazier spoke further with Edmonson about the incident, again informing him he could not move items from one property to another. Edmonson told the officer the stairs have been on the property for more than 10 years, belonging to a mobile home that has since vacated the property. Edmonson said he took the staircase to make a slide for his child and did not think it would be a big deal to take it.

He was booked into the Greene County Jail with his bond set at $1,000 surety with 10% cash allowed. He posted $100 and was released later the same day.

He was charged with theft, a Class A Misdemeanor and resisting law enforcement, a Class A Misdemeanor.