Jason Chorba of Mountain Home, who told law officers that he took one vehicle and tried to steal another in an effort to escape drones that were chasing him, was given eight years probation after pleading guilty to charges stemming from the recent events.
His change of plea and sentencing came during a session of Baxter County Circuit Court Thursday.
On February 19th, Mountain Home police received a report that a man with shoulder length hair, wearing camouflage pants and a dark shirt had attempted to steal a truck parked at a residence in the city.
According to the probable cause affidavit, a man — later identified as the 38-year-old Chorba — had broken the window of the truck with a stone to gain entry to the vehicle. He also damaged the steering column in an attempt to "hot wire" and start the truck's engine.
Chorba was spotted in the vehicle by a witness and he fled on foot in the direction of Care Manor Nursing Home on Burnett Drive. A black backpack was left behind containing property identified as belonging to Chorba.
A short time later, police received a call an employee's vehicle had been taken from the parking lot at the nursing home. That vehicle was later found in the woods in the Buzzard Roost Road area. Investigators learned that Chorba had gone to two different residences asking for assistance, saying his truck had a flat tire and he needed to use the telephone.
Chorba was located and arrested February 20th and admitted to taking one truck and trying to take the other. In addition to probation, Chorba was ordered to pay $2,300 in restitution for damage he caused.
He was reported to have requested to be taken to a mental health facility because he was hearing voices.
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