A Linton man accused of shoplifting a phone charger was arrested and is now facing a misdemeanor charge of theft.

John Stephen Ellis, 35, Linton, was arrested by Linton Police Officer Joe Riley on May 2 when Riley was dispatched to AutoZone in Linton after an employee called in about a theft.

The employee, who works part-time at the store, was Nick Yingling who is also a Linton police officer.

When Officer Riley arrived, Yingling told him he witnessed Ellis open a package containing an Energizer phone charger, conceal the charger in his pocket then attempt to hide the packaging behind other items in the store. Yingling said Ellis then attempted to leave the store without paying for the charger but Yingling detained him.

When Officer Riley talked to Ellis, Ellis allegedly admitted he had no intention of paying for the charger and he showed the officers where he had hidden the packaging.

Yingling said the retail price of the charger was $20.

Ellis was booked into the Greene County Jail where his bond was set at $1,000 surety with ten percent cash allowed. He posted $100 cash and was released the same night.

Ellis is now scheduled to appear in court for an initial hearing on May 16 when he will be formally charged with theft, a Class A misdemeanor.