A man suspected of stealing another man’s hunting blind told Levy County sheriff’s deputies he was looking for snakes when he took it.
Christopher Loren Eckblad, 25, of 21160 SE 65th St. in Morriston, was arrested at his home late Friday and charged with grand theft and criminal mischief, according to the sheriff’s office.
Sheriff’s Investigator Jay Crooms and Deputy Scott Stancil said the theft was reported Friday by a man hunting off Lebanon Grade in the Gulf Hammock area. The victim told the deputies that his Primo brand hunting blind was stolen.
The victim said he noticed a red Ford Bronco leaving the property so he ran back to get his truck to chase the Bronco. According to the victim, the Bronco was driven through a metal gate in order to get off the property. The victim also told deputies that once the Bronco reached Lebanon Grade, it was stopped long enough for someone inside to throw out the blind before speeding away.
Crooms and Stancil said the victim was able to read the tag number on the Bronco, and Crooms and Stancil traced the license plate to Eckblad.
According to the deputies, Eckblad claimed he was looking for snakes when he noticed the hunting blind in the weeds and then admitted stealing the blind, a chair and a shovel, valued together at $370.
Eckblad was charged with grand theft and criminal mischief and was booked into the Levy County jail in Bronson.