Bartlesville man arrested for auto theft

BARTLESVILLE, Okla. - A Bartlesville man is behind bars after he allegedly stole a pickup, only to be followed by its owner who in turn directed a state trooper to its driver's location.

34-year-old Ronald Gene Thomas now faces charges of unauthorized use of a motor vehicle and driving under suspension.

According to the affidavit, at around 4:30 p.m. Tuesday a Washington County based state trooper received a radio call that a victim of a vehicle theft had found his vehicle and was following it on U.S. Highway 75.

The alleged victim who said he was northbound and had just crossed into Washington County continued following the reportedly stolen vehicle to a residence at the 403100 block of W. 3500 Road, all the while telling the highway patrol where he was.

When the state trooper arrived to the scene, he saw a white pickup truck that matched the description of the stolen vehicle and saw a white male come out the front door of the residence.

Thirty minutes after the trooper used his loudspeaker to tell the residents to step out the front door, one man stepped out and then a woman. Eventually three more individuals came out, one of whom was identified as Thomas. This man the alleged victim told the trooper had stolen his truck.

The trooper, confirming with his dispatch office the vehicle was stolen and taking a statement from the alleged victim, released the pickup truck back to its owner.

He then arrested Thomas and transported him to the Washington County jail.

During Thomas' appearance in Washington County District Court on Wednesday, his bond was set to $150,000.

Thomas is due back in court Thursday.