Man accused of stealing forklift
KAYE THORNBRUGH | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 5 years, 6 months AGO
Kaye Thornbrugh is a second-generation Kootenai County resident who has been with the Coeur d’Alene Press for six years. She primarily covers Kootenai County’s government, as well as law enforcement, the legal system and North Idaho College. | April 17, 2021 1:00 AM
POST FALLS — A man with 25 previous criminal convictions is being held on $200,000 bail after police said he stole a forklift.
Jason D. Morton, 49, is charged with grand theft, a felony.
Police responded Wednesday to a report that a man, later identified as Morton, took a forklift from a Post Falls business and drove away on it.
An employee said Morton entered the back lot of a business, where the general public would not typically be, and asked for a ride.
The employee said he then heard a forklift start up. When he looked, he said he saw Morton on the forklift, driving away.
Morton was located at Seltice Way and Pleasant View Road, according to court documents. The forklift was in the roadway, police said, and Morton was on foot.
After police detained Morton, an employee with the business reportedly arrived and identified Morton as the person who took the forklift.
When questioned by police, Morton allegedly said he took the forklift because he believed people were following him.
Morton had reportedly also contacted police before they arrived on scene, asking for a ride.
Police arrested Morton at the scene.
The forklift was valued at $3,800.
Prosecutors said in court Thursday that Morton has an extensive criminal history.
Judge John Pittman ordered that Morton be held on $200,000 bail.
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