Worker Accused of Stealing Employer’s Truck, Crashing It While Drunk in Jonesboro

JONESBORO, Ark. — A worker staying in Jonesboro for a job is accused of stealing his employer’s truck in the middle of the night, crashing it, and being arrested for DWI afterward, according to a probable cause affidavit.

Mitchell Dale Thompson, 28, of Oklahoma, is charged with theft of a vehicle valued at $25,000 or more (Class B felony) and second-degree criminal mischief (Class D felony). Judge Tommy Fowler set Thompson’s bond at $25,000 cash or surety, calling him a danger to the public and citing his probation status, history of alcohol-related incidents, and history of failing to appear. Thompson’s next court date is Jan. 23.

Advertisement
Advertisement

According to the affidavit, the victim told officers he and several employees, including Thompson, were in Jonesboro for work and staying at an Airbnb. After going to bed on Nov. 12, the victim said he last saw his truck parked outside, with his keys in his bedroom.

He told police the employees had been drinking that night and believed that at some point Thompson entered his bedroom, took the keys to his personal truck, and left. Although Thompson had access to four other company vehicles — with their keys kept in a common area — he allegedly entered the victim’s room specifically to take that truck.

Police say Thompson then crashed the truck in a single-vehicle accident on Nov. 13 and was arrested at the scene for DWI, which was originally filed in district court. However, because of the additional felony charges related to the same incident that were later filed, the DWI will likely be bound over to circuit court to be tried with the felony charges.

The reported damage to the truck totaled $84,946.84, according to the affidavit.

Thompson remains held at the Craighead County Detention Center. Bond in the DWI case, which was set separately, is $10,000. He’s also being held on several warrants from outside agencies.

All suspects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.