Jonathan Smith, 41, was arrested April 14 and charged with allegations of stealing $750 or more, a class D felony, and property damage in the first degree, a class E felony, after he allegedly stole an air conditioning unit from a local business. 

He was taken into custody at the Phelps County Jail, where he remains. Smith pleaded not guilty at his initial hearing. The court initially set bond at $25,000 cash or surety, but later reduced it to $10,000 after a bond review hearing with the following added conditions:

• Defendant shall not violate the law and shall appear as ordered in this case until this case is finally and completely resolved.

• Defendant shall not possess a firearm or other deadly weapon.

• Defendant shall consent to a search of his person, residence, vehicle or possessions upon request of a law enforcement officer or the OCCS office supervising Defendant.

• Defendant shall have no contact with victim.

• Defendant shall be supervised by OCCS, Inc, and shall report to the OCCS office in Rolla no later than 9 a.m. on the first business day following his or her release on bond. Bond supervision shall be at Defendant’s expense.

• Defendant shall follow all directives of OCCS and the officer supervising his/her bond.

A counsel status hearing is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. on May 5 at the Phelps County Courthouse.

According to a probable cause statement, on April 5, officers with the St. James Police Department received a report from a citizen who had observed an air conditioning unit sitting in a parking lot near a local business. The person told police that circumstances appeared to be suspicious.

Officers located the owner of the nearby business, who confirmed the unit was in his possession for repair on behalf of a customer. He provided officers with video surveillance showing a male subject around 2 a.m. on April 4 moving the unit to the parking lot and abandoning it.

The subject was identified as Smith, who allegedly transported the unit by flipping it end over end through a backyard, across pavement and over gravel into the parking lot, where he left it. The unit sustained significant damage due to the manner in which it was moved and was deemed unrepairable. The business reported an estimated financial loss of $11,677 to replace the full system.

“This is due to the original unit utilizing R-410A refrigerant, which is no longer available, preventing replacement of only the damaged outdoor unit,” the police report reads. “As a result, a complete R-454B matched system, including both indoor and outdoor units, must be purchased.”

Smith was located by police on April 14 and arrested. He initially denied any knowledge of the incident, but later told officers while en route to the Phelps County Jail that he had taken and moved the unit, but did not intend to steal it.

“He further stated that he planned to ‘scrap’ the unit, explaining that times were tough and he needed to provide for his child,” the report reads.