Hunter
07/10/23
An area transient was arrested last week after allegedly taking an acquaintance’s car without their permission and wrecking it.
Police say 31-year-old Michael Baker was involved in a motor vehicle accident Friday just after 4am. The 2003 Acura was registered to another individual, who notified officers that her vehicle was missing. She admitted to knowing Baker, but denied having given permission for him to use the vehicle.
Baker was charged with Operating a Vehicle without Owner Consent, an aggravated misdemeanor punishable by a jail sentence of up to two years if convicted
Baker was wanted on an outstanding warrant for failing to appear at a hearing on 1st degree Theft charges after he was allegedly found with a stolen vehicle in September last year. He and an alleged accomplice reportedly used the 2014 Toyota for about a month, giving fellow Shelter House residents rides on occasion. He reportedly told officers he bought the vehicle in exchange for stealing some nice clothes.
He is to be arraigned on July 21st, and could be sentenced to up to ten years in prison for that incident.
Baker was also accused of running up over $1000 in purchases on a stolen credit card back in September 2021; those charges were dismissed.