Man arrested in Bonneville County after skid steer valued at $120,000 was allegedly stolen
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IDAHO FALLS — A local man was arrested after allegedly stealing a skid steer.
Damian Nicholas Miranda, 31, who is unhoused, has been charged with one count of grand theft, a felony, according to court documents.
According to the probable cause affidavit, on Oct. 16, officers with the Idaho Falls Police Department were dispatched to a business on Northgate Mile for a report of a theft. According to the reporting party, a Case skid steer valued at approximately $120,000 had been stolen.
Court documents state the skid steer was equipped with a GPS tracking system, which showed it was approximately one mile from the business.
The suspect, later identified as Miranda, allegedly drove the skid steer a mile down some nearby railway tracks. The skid steer was found backed up against some foliage and a fence.
Documents state that, based on the location the skid steer was left, it appeared the Miranda had been trying to conceal it.
Inside the skid steer, law enforcement allegedly found a wallet containing a California and an Ohio ID belonging to Miranda.
After speaking with the victim, who reportedly told law enforcement that they did not know Miranda and there was no reason for Miranda to have access to the skid steer, the victim was able to drive the skid steer to a nearby parking lot to be loaded onto a trailer for transport.
Court documents state that because Miranda is an unhoused individual, law enforcement were unable to find a phone number or address to speak with him.
An arrest warrant was issued Oct. 27, and Miranda was arrested Oct. 29.
If found guilty of the charge against him, Miranda may face up to 14 years in prison and may be required to pay up to $5,000 in fines and restitution.
Miranda does not yet have an attorney listed to reach for comment.
He is expected to appear in court Nov. 6 for a preliminary hearing.
Although Miranda has been charged with a crime, that does not necessarily mean he committed it. Everyone is presumed innocent until proven guilty.