A Clinton man is now facing felony charges after the assistant chief with the Clinton Fire Department, while on duty, spotted a man riding a red mountain bike — his red mountain bike.

Lenburg Underwood, 29, of 620 Royal Lane, Clinton, has been charged with felonious breaking and entering and felonious larceny.

According to reports, Underwood was stopped by assistant fire chief Todd Solice shortly after noon Friday. Solice was operating his emergency response vehicle in the area of Barden and Calhoun streets when he saw a bicycle that looked like his, being ridden by another man.

Solice was reportedly able to distinguish the bike from identifiable markings and called police. When officers arrived, Solice was adamant that he was the owner of the property and the subject, identified by Underwood, saying he bought it from someone on the street, reports state.

Underwood told police he was homeless and unemployed. He could not tell them how he paid for the bicycle or who he bought it from, or give a description of the person, according to reports. His statements were “inconsistent,” police said.

Underwood was later approached by officers for a second time after they saw him riding the same bike around Barden and Williams streets. He told officers he was “high” the previous night and admitted to the theft of the bicycle. He said he stole it, from the storage shed at Solice’s McKoy Street, at around 9 p.m. Thursday.

The bicycle, valued at $250, was returned.

Owens has been placed under $20,000 secured bond for the offenses.

Chris Berendt can be reached at 910-592-8137, ext. 121, or by email at sicrime@intrstar.net.