AMMON – Deputies tracked a suspected credit card thief through an order for pizza delivery to the man’s apartment.
Chase William Oconnell, 35, is now charged with felony grand larceny for the December 18, 2021 incident. Oconnell made a first court appearance on Wednesday.
Reports show the Bonneville County Sheriff’s Office received a call around 5.30pm that day from a man who said someone had stolen his wallet from an unlocked locker at Golds Gym on South Eagle Drive. The man told a deputy that the credit card had already charged $34.45 at Papa John’s Pizza in Idaho Falls, according to a probable cause affidavit.
The deputy went to the pizzeria and learned that the pizza would be delivered to Oconnell but had not yet walked through the door.
Instead of the pizza delivery driver taking Oconnell’s order, the deputy went to the man’s Ammon apartment to ask about the stolen wallet. The deputy wrote in a report that Oconnell had handed over the portfolio.
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 subpoena was issued for Oconnell to appear in felony court and he was not arrested.
Although Oconnell is accused of a crime, that does not necessarily mean that he committed it. Everyone is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
A preliminary hearing for Oconnell is scheduled for February 18.
