The Douglas County Jail has had a revolving door lately for a Lawrence man who’s been charged with crimes such as dealing cocaine, burglarizing cars and leading police on three chases.

And some people, including one of his alleged victims, would like to know why.

“That doesn’t make too much sense. If he’s got that much of a history, it seems like somebody’s letting the ball roll in the wrong direction,” said George Schumock, 62, who had two vehicles burglarized Monday and had minor items stolen in the 1600 block of Rose Lane in East Lawrence. “Maybe they can be more stringent on letting them get released.”

Thomas R. Peterson, 23, was arrested early Monday for the third time in roughly the past month after police got a call of an auto burglary in progress on Rose Lane. When officers responded, Peterson fled on foot, but police were able to catch him in the area.

He was charged Monday with four counts of auto burglary, four counts of theft and obstruction.

Before Monday’s arrest, Peterson had three cases pending in District Court and had been arrested twice in recent weeks. But both times, he’s been able to get out by posting bond.

Peterson

The county’s top prosecutor, Dist. Atty. Charles Branson, said he’d like to see higher bonds, which would make it more difficult for people to get out of jail in Douglas County while they’re awaiting trial.

“I would say that the bond schedule set by the judges is too low across the board,” he said.

But he said bonds have two purposes under law: ensuring that the person appears at future court dates and protecting public safety. He said judges can’t set bonds that are overly harsh or punitive, and bonds for many lower-level crimes are set according to a pre-determined formula.

‘Balancing act’

While Peterson’s case is unusual, it isn’t unheard of, Branson said.

“You’re always go have somebody who’s able to get out on bond who will choose to reoffend, unless you say ‘No bond,’ which goes contrary to the bond statutes,” he said. “Would we like to see the bonds higher? Yes, definitely, but it’s a balancing act.”

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Peterson was charged in March with possession with intent to sell cocaine and other related charges. He failed to appear in court in April, according to court records.

On Aug. 14, he led police on a chase in southwest Lawrence that began with a report of a domestic disturbance and ended when he crashed into a ditch near East 1150 Road, according to reports. He was charged with reckless driving, fleeing to elude police, possession of cocaine and possession of marijuana. According to a police report, Peterson told officers he didn’t stop because was “freaked out” that he had warrants for his arrest.

He paid a bondsman a fee to put up his $3,100 bond and was released, records show. Usually, bondsmen charge a 10 percent, nonrefundable fee.

On Sept. 6, he led police on a chase that started when officers began investigating a call of an auto burglary in progress and ended when Peterson ran into road spikes deployed by police on John Doy Court in northern Lawrence, according to police. He was charged with drunk driving, fleeing to elude police and drug possession.

Bond not a deterrent

After that arrest, he had amassed $15,000 in bonds from his three pending cases, Branson said. But he was able to post bond through a bondsman and get out again.

Branson said the case shows that if someone has enough money to post bond, he or she can get out of jail and get into trouble again.

“The bond itself is not a deterrent to commit crimes,” he said.

During Peterson’s first court appearance Monday, Assistant Dist. Atty. Brenda Clary asked for his bond to be set at $20,000, but Judge Pro Tem Peggy Kittel set it at $15,000.

Peterson remained in custody as of Monday evening.

One of Peterson’s family members declined to comment Monday when reached by telephone.