A 32-year-old Smithville man has been arrested by city police after allegedly stealing money from his employer in a phony merchandise return ploy that authorities say involved forgery and theft. Jason Brian Jones, former employee of Potters Home Center in Smithville,is charged with with forgery and felony theft over $1,000, and is under a $20,000 bond. He will be in court on Aug. 18.Jones allegedly forged the names of people on several return slips between June 7 and July 30, then made out a check from the store for merchandise returns to those fictitious names.According to Smithville Police Chief Randy Caplinger, he then forged the phony names on the checks, cashed them in the store, and pocketed the cash.Jones reportedly garnered several thousand dollars with the ruse before being caught.Police say Jones admitted to the crimes upon questioning.