Jackson man charged with stealing hotel computer, growing pot in basement

A Jackson man was arrested Tuesday after he allegedly stole a computer from a local hotel. He was charged with growing marijuana a day later.

The Cape Girardeau County prosecuting attorney charged Evan John McManaman, 36, with theft of more than $500 and manufacturing a controlled substance. McManaman’s bonds were set at $15,000 and $5,000 respectively.

A desk clerk at Comfort Inn and Suites in Jackson noticed McManaman tinkering with a security camera Tuesday, according to a probable-cause statement filed by Jackson police officer Timothy J. Lester. McManaman claimed he was hired to work on the cameras, but he left the hotel when he was asked for identification, Lester wrote.

Lester reviewed security footage from the hotel after he was called by the clerk, and it showed McManaman removing a computer valued at $2,826 from the hotel, according to the statement. McManaman took the computer out of the front entrance, placed it next to the building, then climbed over the front desk to turn off the computer used for video surveillance, Lester wrote.

Lester found the computer in a field next to the hotel’s property, according to the statement.

Jackson police later arrested McManaman after he assaulted a person and was trespassing, Lester wrote. There have been no charges from that incident.

At 10 a.m., officers responded to 617 Charlotte Court on a keep-the-peace call, according to a probable-cause statement filed by Jackson officer Jesse Houseman. McManaman had been arrested by then, and his family wanted the man who was living as a roommate in the house, which McManaman’s mother owned, to leave, Houseman wrote.

Houseman provided assistance to McManaman’s family and noticed a marijuana pipe in plain sight and found small baggies scattered about and a syringe in a bathroom, according to the statement.

Jackson officers obtained a search warrant, and the house tenant told them McManaman was operating a marijuana-growing operation in the basement, Houseman wrote.

Along with several items used to grow marijuana, officers found a large bag of marijuana leaves in the kitchen freezer, according to the statement.

bkleine@semissourian.com

(573) 388-3644

Pertinent address:

2904 Old Orchard Road, Jackson, Mo.

617 Charlotte Court, Jackson, Mo.