Theft suspect ordered pizza delivery but a deputy showed up instead - East Idaho News
Crime Watch

Theft suspect ordered pizza delivery but a deputy showed up instead

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AMMON — Deputies tracked a suspected credit card thief through a pizza delivery order to the man’s apartment.

Chase William Oconnell, 35, is now charged with felony grand theft for the Dec. 18, 2021 incident. Oconnell made an initial appearance in court Wednesday.

Reports show the Bonneville County Sheriff’s Office got a call around 5:30 p.m. that day from a man who said someone stole his wallet from an unlocked locker at Golds Gym on South Eagle Drive. The man told a deputy the credit card already had a $34.45 charge to Papa John’s Pizza in Idaho Falls, according to an affidavit of probable cause.

The deputy drove to the pizza shop and learned the pizza would be delivered to Oconnell but had not yet made it out the door.

Instead of the pizza delivery driver taking the order to Oconnell, the deputy drove to the man’s Ammon apartment to ask about the stolen wallet. The deputy wrote in a report that Oconnell handed the wallet over.

When the deputy followed Oconnell into the house, he also spotted a glass bong with marijuana inside. Oconnell was also cited for misdemeanor possession of marijuana.

A summons was issued for Oconnell to appear in court on the felony charge and he was not arrested.

Although Oconnell is accused of a crime it does not necessarily mean he committed it. Everyone is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

A preliminary hearing for Oconnell is scheduled for Feb. 18.

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