A Mountain Home man, 38-year-old Jason Chorba, was arrested by Mountain Home Police Monday on felony theft of property and breaking or entering after an investigation into a stolen vehicle attempt, and a separate stolen vehicle, which occurred Sunday. During an interview by investigators, he allegedly confessed to the vehicle theft, stating he was in a hurry because he was being chased by drones. Chorba was booked into the Baxter County Jail with Bond set at $30,000.
Mountain Home Police Chief Carry Manual says at 8:15 Sunday evening police responded to a residence on Embassy Parkway where a nearby resident noticed a person inside a vehicle. The alleged suspect, Chorba fled the area after the resident approached.
The responding officer noticed damage to the vehicle, broken window glass and damage consistent with attempted hot-wiring. Inside the vehicle was a backpack and documents allegedly belonging to Chorba. An investigator processed the vehicle and collected the evidence.
Fifteen minutes later, police received a vehicle theft report from a business nearby on Burnett Drive. The owners saw the vehicle being backed out of a parking space by a male operator. The operator ran over parking signs and drove down a steep embankment, nearly crashing the vehicle as he left the parking lot.
On Monday, the stolen vehicle was located near Buzzard Roost after the Baxter County Sheriffs Office was notified by a nearby citizen. According to a crash report the vehicle was left in drive and exited. It hit a mailbox, and swerved back onto the road and eventually crashed into the woods after traveling approximately 194 feet.
Officers located and arrested Chorba at a residence east of Mountain Home. According to the Baxter County Sheriff’s website, Chorba is scheduled to appear in Baxter County Circuit Court February 23rd.
WebReadyTM Powered by WireReady® NSI