Bullard police interviewed witnesses to an alleged crime at the East Texas Off-road Motorcycle and ATV Repair shop in Bullard Tuesday, March 23. Timothy Sean Baker allegedly tried to drive away on the blue 2007 Suzuki motorcycle without the owner’s permission. He was charged with three crimes. (Banner Staff Photo by Don Treul It was not a good day for one would-be thief in Bullard.

Timothy Sean Baker, 23, of Tyler, was allegedly attempting to steal a 2007 Suzuki SV650 motorcycle from East Texas Off-road Motorcycle and ATV Repair shop in the 100 block of Water Street in downtown Bullard, just after lunch Tuesday, March 23, when the shop’s owner and several others caught and detained him.

According to the investigator, Bullard Police Officer Stuart Alexander, Baker hopped onto the motorcycle, which had its keys in the ignition, and drove about 200 feet before he crashed the vehicle in a grassy area between the business and a nearby bank.

The shop’s owner, T.J. Smith, who is also the owner of the motorcycle, along with others who were inside the business at the time of the alleged theft, ran after Baker and caught up with him when he crashed the vehicle. Following a scuffle, Baker was subdued before Alexander arrived.

According to Smith, Baker was with a friend who had stopped at the shop regarding a vehicle repair. While Baker’s friend and one of the shop’s employees were checking out the possible repair, Baker began to wander among the ATVs and motorcycles parked around the shop.

“We were keeping an eye on him (Baker) while we were talking,” Smith said. “I heard the accelerator on the bike and we ran out and saw him take off. I yelled ‘stop,’ and he looked back and the back tire started to spin out from under him.”

Smith said Baker lost control of the motorcycle in the grassy area. As Baker was trying to regain control, Smith and others caught up with him.

“I ran up and hit him,” Smith said.

Smith and a friend, Brandon Byerly, had just about subdued Baker when authorities arrived at the scene.

Smith said the motorcycle received about $4,000 damage. The ETMC EMS treated Baker and Smith at the scene for minor injuries caused as a result of the scuffle. Also, assisting Alexander were Bullard Police Chief Gary Don Lewis, Bullard Police Sgt. John Williams and Sgt. Jeff Bragg.

Baker was transported to the Smith County Justice Center for custody. He was charged with unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, a felony; assault causing bodily injury, a misdemeanor; and driving while intoxicated, also a misdemeanor. Bond was set at $5,000 for the felony charge; $1,000 for the assault charge; and $500 for the DWI charge.

Baker has an extensive history of criminal charges, according to Smith County Sheriff’s Office records. He was charged with theft in February 2004; criminal mischief in February and June 2004; minor in possession of alcohol in May 2005; aggravated assault in June 2007; and driving while intoxicated in May and September 2009.

Smith said Baker called him Monday, March 29.

“He said he wanted to apologize face-to-face.”