A Glenoma man had a rude awakening Monday morning when he reportedly found a stranger in his kitchen eating his cereal.
The accused cereal snatcher, identified as Jerald J. Couch, 52, a transient from Tampa, Florida, was charged Tuesday in Lewis County Superior Court with residential burglary and third-degree theft.
Superior Court Judge James Lawler imposed $10,000 bail, citing Couch’s lack of ties to the community.
His next court hearing is scheduled for Thursday.
According to court documents and the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office, at 5:15 a.m. on Monday, a 29-year-old Glenoma man woke up and found an unknown man, later identified as Couch, standing in his kitchen eating cereal.
After a short exchange, Couch reportedly ran from the residence. The Glenoma man reportedly ran after him and found him about 500 feet down the road.
The home’s resident, now armed with a rifle, commanded Couch to get on the ground. Couch complied and the man put his rifle away, according to the Sheriff’s Office.
The man then tied Couch’s hands behind his back and called police. When the first deputy arrived, he reported Couch was still tied up and seemed to be asleep.
Couch was transported to court Tuesday in a wheelchair and still seemed to be only half awake. His attorney for the day, Rachael Tiller, expressed some concern that her client did not understand the charges he faced.
“I’m not sure if Mr. Couch is understanding,” she said. “ … Mr. Couch had the belief he was near (his) sister’s home.”
While being arrested, Couch reportedly told deputies he had been in the woods doing a new drug with another person before the incident.
