A Jefferson County man allegedly attempted to steal a Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office SUV moments after being released from the Jefferson County Jail in Hillsboro. Deputies saw the man attempting to start a Sheriff’s Office Ford Expedition outside of the department’s headquarters on Maple Street, according to court documents.
Daniel James Marchbanks, 35, who lives in the Fenton area, has been charged with second-degree burglary of a motor vehicle while possessing a firearm; attempted stealing of a motor vehicle; and unlawful possession of a firearm, all class C felonies, and attempted stealing of a firearm and resisting arrest, both class E felonies, court records show.
Marchbanks is considered a persistent offender due to being found guilty of at least two prior felonies, and the class C felonies have been filed as class B felonies, each punishable by five to 15 years in prison, and the class E felonies have been charged as class D felonies, which both carry penalties of up to seven years in prison, court documents said.
In May 2016, Marchbanks was found guilty of stealing a motor vehicle in August 2015 and first-degree burglary in September 2015 in Jefferson County, court records show.
As of Oct. 26, Marchbanks was being held without bond at the Jefferson County Jail, court records said.
Marchbanks was allegedly seen in the driver’s seat of the black 2023 Ford Expedition at about 11:50 a.m. Oct. 17, and he was attempting to start the SUV. He later told investigators he intended to steal the SUV “because he needed a ride,” and that he had walked to the first vehicle he saw, entered it and found a key inside it, according to the case’s probable-cause statement.
Sheriff’s Office spokesman Grant Bissell said Marchbanks had been arrested for alleged fourth-degree assault, and he had been booked at the jail before being released pending the application for a warrant.
Deputies and detectives swarmed the SUV after Marchbanks was seen inside it. Marchbanks allegedly refused to get out of the Expedition and had to be forcefully removed, the report said.
He also allegedly struggled with deputies in an attempt to avoid being handcuffed, according to the report.
A Rock River LAR-15 rifle was inside the Expedition when Marchbanks allegedly attempted to steal it, the report said.
Marchbanks allegedly told deputies he was a frequent methamphetamine user, and he had used meth continuously for several days before being arrested and booked at the jail, according to the report.