Sheldon, Iowa — A Hartley man has been arrested on a felony theft charge after what authorities say is a failure to pay for a purchase.
According to a criminal complaint filed with the O’Brien County Clerk of Court’s Office by the Sheldon Police Department, 53-year-old Steven Craig Albert of Hartley is accused of paying for fuel with a bad check and then not making it good after nearly a year. He was arrested on Monday.
In his statement, the officer says that almost a year ago, on September 29th, 2023, Albert purchased $2166.35 of diesel fuel from Sanborn Propane and Oil (a business in Sheldon). He says Albert paid for the fuel by check at the time of service. However, the officer says the check bounced, and Albert did not pay for the fuel and, according to the officer, made no effort to pay in the following months. The officer says Albert received a certified letter about the bounced check on August 15th, 2024, but has allegedly still not paid for the diesel fuel after receiving the certified letter.
Albert was charged with second-degree theft, a class D felony. If convicted, Albert could face up to five years in prison.
He faces an initial appearance on the charge on Tuesday, September 17th.
Albert was booked into the O’Brien County Jail in Primgahr, and was released the same day after posting bond.
