Russellville man sentenced to 10 years for alleged theft

A Russellville man pleaded guilty to theft charges on Tuesday for stealing items from a vehicle in July.
Matthew Justin O’Neal, 26, 1713 Wilson Blvd., Russellville, pleaded guilty to second-degree theft of property and was sentenced to 10 years in prison, Franklin County District Attorney Joey Rushing said.
According to Rushing, O’Neal was on probation when he was arrested on July 19 after police discovered stolen items in his possession.
“Since Mr. O’Neal violated his probation by incurring the new criminal charges, he agreed to serve the 10 year sentence and pay back the restitution owed in this case,” Rushing said.
Rushing said O’Neal was arrested on the theft and breaking and entering a motor vehicle charges after the owner of a local business called the police department on July 19 to report items had been stolen from his vehicle, which was parked outside his business.
Reports showed the victim stated he left his vehicle outside the business the evening of July 18 after it had been returned from the mechanic.
When the victim returned to his business the next morning about 5 a.m., he noticed the door of his vehicle was ajar.
Russellville Police Chief Chris Hargett said at the time of the arrest the victim noticed some electronics and several hundred dollars in cash were missing from his vehicle and called the police department to make a report.
Hargett said video surveillance helped police develop O’Neal as a suspect and when he was questioned, officers found the stolen items in his possession.