A Minden man was arrested July 2 after allegedly taking his stepfather’s vehicle without permission and later returning it to the residence, according to a Minden Police Department report.
Police were dispatched at approximately 6:45 AM to a residence in the 700 block of Woods Street in reference to a reported stolen vehicle.
According to the report, the vehicle owner told officers his stepson, Charles Howard, 40, had taken the vehicle from the driveway sometime during the night. The owner said Howard had previously obtained a spare key to the vehicle and used it to take the car without permission.
The owner told officers he wished to pursue criminal charges.
At approximately 8:30 AM, police learned the vehicle had been returned to the residence. When officers arrived, the owner reported Howard had brought the vehicle back about 15 minutes after officers initially left the scene.
Police found Howard asleep on a couch inside the residence and took him into custody without incident.
According to the report, officers had previously responded to the same residence on April 1 regarding a similar incident involving the same vehicle. In that case, the owner declined to pursue charges. Officers were also dispatched to the residence on April 30 for another incident with similar circumstances, and police noted an arrest warrant may still be pending in connection with that case.
Howard was transported to the Minden Police Department for booking before being transferred to Bayou Dorcheat Correctional Center.
He was charged with unauthorized use of a movable and was also booked on five bench warrants issued through Minden City Court.
All subjects are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.