A Burt man pleaded not guilty to theft and burglary charges after attempting to steal a car in Manning last month. According to Carroll County District Court Records, 26-year-old Caleb Jaymz Douglas Thomson was taken into custody after trying to steal a vehicle from a victim near the Kerkhoff Shelter House on Ann Street. The vehicle’s owner caught Thomson actively trying to steal the car and stepped in to intervene. Thomson then showed aggression towards the victim, who left to go inside his shop to call law enforcement. During this time, Thomson attempted to gain entry into the building by kicking and pushing on the door. The owner managed to exit the shop and enter his house, where Thomson again tried to gain entry by kicking and pushing the door. Thomson is currently facing charges of second-degree burglary and second-degree robbery, both class C felonies. Jury trial is scheduled for Feb. 18, 2025. If found guilty, Thomson may face a maximum penalty of up to 20 years in prison and $27,320 in fines.
