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PLEASANT GROVE — A homeless man has been charged with theft and drug possession after police discovered he’s been stealing from an elderly man with disabilities in Pleasant Grove for over five years.
On Sept. 30, an elderly man called the Pleasant Grove Police Department to report a stolen bike. The man, who police say has diminished mental capabilities, let Gary Kinsey borrow his bike. But when Kinsey didn’t return it, the man reported the bike as stolen.
Someone tried to register the bike soon after it was reported stolen, police said. When they went to pick up the bike, they discovered the person who tried to register the bike had bought the bike from Kinsey for $100. Kinsey also gave the person a signed note stating it was his bike and was not stolen. Police were able to return the bike to the victim.
Upon further investigation, police said they discovered Kinsey had been taking advantage of the victim for over five years. Kinsey stayed at the victim’s apartment when he didn’t have a place to sleep, police said, and he kept returning with the intent to take advantage of the victim’s kindness and friendship.
Kinsey also stole a TV from the victim and sold it for money, police said.
Police found Kinsey on Nov. 15 at his mother’s home in Provo, who has a protective order against him. When police arrived at the house, Kinsey locked himself in the bathroom, and police had to force the door open to take him into custody.
Kinsey was found with a knife and a straw with a white substance that tested positive for methamphetamine, police said. An 8-year-old child was at home at the time of the arrest, making it a drug-free zone, police said. Kinsey was arrested on charges of felony theft and drug possession.
Kinsey has been previously convicted for burglaries in 2011 and 2013 and has a larceny conviction from 2010. Kinsey was arrested in July of this year for taking a relative’s car for a 24-hour joyride where he was also found in possession of meth.
