A Columbia man accused of stealing a front loader and using it to clear driveways has been charged with theft, Howard County police said. A Caterpillar skid steer loader was reported stolen between Friday and Monday from a parking garage on U.S. 1 and Mission Road in Jessup. The vehicle was equipped with LoJack, and officers traced it Tuesday morning to a home in Laurel and found it parked in the driveway. The homeowners said a friend had left it there after clearing their driveway. Police tracked down David Earl Bryant, 40, of the 9600 block of Hingston Downs. He has been charged with felony theft, theft, motor vehicle theft, unauthorized use of a vehicle and removing or defacing a VIN number. Electronic court records show that Bryant, who appeared to have no prior criminal record in Maryland, was released on his own recognizance.

- Justin Fenton

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