A Jasonville man is accused of stealing a woman’s cell phone while he was shopping at a recent yard sale in Worthington, then telling a story about it that was not true, then busting up the cell phone in an attempt to destroy the evidence.

Ryan Jay Gilbert, 30, Jasonville, was arrested by Deputy Marshal Heather Wood of the Worthington Police Department on Thursday, July 22.

Gilbert attracted the attention of the Worthington Police Department when they received a report of a theft on Thursday, July 22. During the course of their investigation, Gilbert was taken into custody on a warrant that was out for his arrest in a pending case involving possession of marijuana – he failed to show up in court for his initial hearing. Since his arrest, another criminal case has been filed against Gilbert as a result of the theft investigation.

Officer Wood responded around 4:20 p.m. on Thursday, July 22, along with WPD Chief Jim O’Malley, to an alleged theft that took place at a yard sale in a lot on the corner of Commercial and First Street in Worthington.

A woman working at the yard sale said two men had come over from a neighboring apartment and were shopping. One bought some lighters and the other, who was later identified as Ryan Gilbert, was looking at some ammunition. She said her cell phone was sitting on the ammunition table. Gilbert then left alone and went back to the apartments, but the other man stayed and paid for his items. After they left, she realized her cell phone was gone. She said she looked through everything for the Samsung Galaxy Note, then contacted police.

When Officer Wood and Chief O’Malley located the two men at the apartment, they got the run-around for a while and Gilbert first gave a false name then told a story that the officers determined was not true.

After several conversations, and assistance from WPD Deputy Marshal Ryan Montgomery, Officer Wood transported Gilbert to the county jail and the other two officers located the phone in the apartment, in pieces. Gilbert allegedly attempted to destroy the phone and flush parts of it down the toilet after the officers first arrived.

Evidence in this case includes a witness who saw Gilbert take the phone off the table and put it in his pocket.

Gilbert’s bond in the marijuana case has been set at $10,000 surety with ten percent cash allowed. He has not posted bond and as of mid-day Friday, was still in custody.

In the new criminal case, Gilbert is facing charges of: False informing, a Class B misdemeanor, and theft – with a prior conviction for either theft or conversion, a Level 6 felony.