A man accused of stealing a $12,000 mower was arrested Tuesday on a felony theft charge, police said.

Athens Police Capt. Trevor Harris said the new 60-inch Toro 6000 series mower was taken shortly after midnight Monday from a business in the 500 block of U.S. 72. Investigators viewed video footage from nearby businesses and obtained a description of the suspect.

On Tuesday, Detective Joe McClanahan saw a white man on Hardy Street who matched the description of the suspect. The man, Charles Edward Vondenbenken, 44, of 718 Hardy St., Athens, was questioned about the theft at the Athens Police Department.

Harris said following the interview, Vondenbenken was charged with first-degree theft. After being booked at the Athens Police Department, he was transferred to the Limestone County Jail, where bail is set at $5,000.

Harris said Vondenbenken faces additional charges related to thefts from other Athens businesses.

The mower has not yet been recovered, though Harris said detectives are working to locate it so it can be returned to the business. Anyone with information about the mower is asked to call the 256-233-8700. The zero-turn mower has the model number 74960.