Schuyler County Man Charged With Vehicle Theft

LANCASTER — A Schuyler County man is facing felony and misdemeanor charges after authorities say he took a vehicle without permission earlier this month.

According to court records, Christopher N. Jackson has been charged in Case No. 26SY-CR00053 with one count of stealing a motor vehicle, a Class D felony, and one count of second-degree trespassing.

The charges stem from an incident reported April 13, when the Schuyler County Sheriff’s Office received a report of a stolen vehicle from a residence in Downing. Surveillance video allegedly showed Jackson approaching the vehicle on April 12 and later leaving the property with it.

Deputies later located the vehicle parked outside a residence in Downing and confirmed it matched the reported stolen vehicle. Authorities made contact with Jackson at that location and took him into custody. According to the probable cause statement, officers recovered the vehicle key from Jackson’s pocket at the time of his arrest.

Investigators reported the vehicle owner told authorities Jackson did not have permission to take or operate the vehicle. Additional items found inside the vehicle were seized as evidence.

A warrant was issued April 14 with bond set at $10,000 cash only. During an initial court appearance, the court denied release on recognizance, and Jackson remains in custody pending further proceedings.

A bond review hearing is scheduled for April 20 at 11 a.m., with a preliminary hearing set for May 20 at 1:30 p.m. before Judge Kelly L. Lovekamp.

Court documents also indicate Jackson has prior criminal convictions, which were considered in the decision to issue the warrant and set bond conditions.

All charges are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.