(La Porte, IN) - A La Porte area man, who has been in and out of jail for years, is again behind bars and accused of stealing.  Jason Bailey, 35, is charged in La Porte Circuit Court with Level 6 felony theft and Class B misdemeanor unauthorized entry of a motor vehicle.

 

According to La Porte Police, Bailey and a 22-year old woman stayed the night at a home on Andrew Avenue on May 8th.  They were told to get out of the apartment the next morning, though, when the woman living there suspected they had stolen her money.

 

Police said Bailey somehow obtained the victim’s car keys and started up the engine then fled in the 1998 Chrysler with his female friend.  The owner of the car later contacted them in an attempt to get her car back but was threatened and told they would not be returning the vehicle, according to court documents.

 

According to court records, Bailey has a long history of committing crimes and other offenses such as dealing heroin, burglary, conversion, battery and passing a stopped school bus.

 

Bailey could face an up to 30 month sentence if convicted of theft.