Clark man to serve year for thefts from grandmother

A Clark County man charged with stealing from his grandmother in March was sentenced to a year in jail Wednesday.

Thomas Ballard, 33, of 1725 Cole Road, was arrested in March and charged with theft by unlawful taking and theft of an automobile after his grandmother was locked in her basement. The victim, Naomi Wingard, said Thomas’ girlfirend, Stephanie Ballard, tricked her in going to her basement. Once she was downstairs, she said Stephanie Ballard locked her in. After she freed her self eight hours later, her wallet and car keys were missing from a safe, and her vehicle was gone.

Wednesday, the automobile theft charge against Thomas Ballard was amended to theft by unlawful taking. Thomas Ballard pleaded guilty to both charges and was sentenced to 360 days in jail.

According to court documents, Thomas Ballard told detectives Stephanie Ballard asked for his help opening Wingard’s safe, which he provided. He said Stephanie Ballard took Wingard’s wallet and car keys from the safe and drove away in Wingard’s car. Thomas Ballard said they went to Irvine and tried to use Wingard’s credit cards.

Stephanie Ballard, 22, of Lexington, was arrested in September on a warrant for second-degree robbery and first-degree unlawful imprisonment for the incident. Her case has been continued until Jan. 22, 2018.

Thomas Ballard was recently indicted for a separate incident where he allegedly kidnapped Wingard at knife point and forced her to drive him to Montgomery County. Wingard was released and called police for help. Thomas Ballard is charged with robbery and kidnapping in that incident.

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