Man taking relative’s items to keep them safe charged with theft

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Photo: Jacob Hutchison

A Cotter man, who claimed he had removed a large number of items from a relative’s home to keep them from being stolen, has been arrested and charged with stealing the property.

Thirty-three-year-old Jacob Hutchison told police he knew someone had been “messing around” at his second cousin’s residence located across the road from where he lived.

He said because of that activity, he had removed a washer, dryer, water heater and others items of value and had taken them to his house for safekeeping.

The victim said she asked Hutchison why he had not called to tell her about his activities at her residence, but that he “got an attitude and walked off.” The victim said she had not given Hutchison permission to be on her property.

In addition to the washer-dryer and water heater, the victim told Cotter Police a window air conditioner, two computers, various movies and games, kids’ toys, books, women’s clothing, a coffee table, a 50-inch television set, an air compressor, an antique double wash tub, as well as dishes and cooking utensils were all missing.

According to the probable cause affidavit, some of the allegedly stolen items were located in Hutchison’s residence.

As his home was being searched April 26, he was reported to have said he would have let the victim recover her property, if she had only talked to him about the situation.

Hutchinson is free on a $5,000 bond.

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