A man facing charges in two counties for stealing and burning a single vehicle was scheduled for a jury trial in Baxter County Circuit Court last week, but it was cancelled and he pled guilty on October 30.
Forty-four-year-old Clarence “Clay” Mason who lists an address in Bakersfield, was sentenced to five years probation. Victim restitution will be determined and assessed when the Fulton County case is adjudicated.
Mason admitted to stealing a 2005 Toyota 4-Runner from a Fulton County residence on April 18 last year and burning the vehicle in Baxter County.
Mason pled guilty to reckless burning and theft by receiving. He had originally been charged with arson and theft by receiving.
Prosecutor David Ethredge said the plea was done “with the consent and direction of the victim.”
FIRE SET TO DESTROY EVIDENCE
According to the probable cause affidavit, Mason first abandoned the vehicle in Baxter County and then returned to the scene where he is alleged to have set the car on fire to destroy any remaining evidence that might tie him to the theft.
One person said Mason had reportedly told people he did “the best he could” to wipe away any fingerprints that might have been left behind.
Mason is alleged to have become increasingly concerned, however, that evidence might have survived his efforts to wipe the vehicle down, so he returned and set it on fire.
He is reported to have thrown the keys off a bridge.
The burned-out SUV was located April 24 last year. It was reported that the fire was not recent because the vehicle was cold to the touch.
Several people provided information to law enforcement concerning the theft and destruction of the vehicle.
The tips included alleged sightings of Mason walking in the vicinity of the home along Glade Rock Road where the SUV was taken.
Mason is reported to have told one person he had taken the vehicle because he was on foot and cold.
He said when he came to the residence where the vehicle’s owner lived, he saw that keys had been left in the Toyota 4-Runner, got in and took off.
On May 18 last year Fulton County Sheriff’s Office investigators notified counterparts in Baxter County that Mason had been formally charged with the theft of the vehicle.
Mason was initially charged with theft of property in Fulton County and arson and theft by receiving in Baxter County.
Mason’s jury trial in Fulton County is now set for later this year.
Electronic court documents in the Fulton County case show Mason came to court late on August 14, was ordered drug tested and showed positive for methamphetamine and THC, the main psychoactive ingredient in marijuana. He was jailed for five days.
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