A Ball State University student arrested on suspicion of taking a police officer's bicycle for a joy ride was formally charged with theft Thursday, according to court documents.
Gavin Howell was arrested early Sunday after finding Ball State Police Sgt. John Foster's police bike parked behind University Square, Gene Burton, director of public safety, said Monday. Foster was responding to a call about a fight at Dill Street Bar and Grill and parked his Trek mountain bike near the bar, Burton said.
Howell was standing around with friends when he saw the bike and decided it would be funny to take it for a ride, he said Monday. Police found him a few blocks away, tackled him and took him to Delaware County Jail, he said.
He was released later that day on $5,000 bond.
No court dates have been set.
If Howell is convicted of theft, a Class D felony, he could be sentenced to between six months and three years in prison, with a standard sentence of 18 months, according to Indiana law.
Daniel Human contributed to this report.
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