Authorities say a China Grove man was charged after taking a debit card from a longtime friend and using it to pay his own car insurance.

The Rowan County Sheriff’s Office charged Steven Marable Kluttz with felony identity theft. Kluttz remains in the Rowan County Detention Center under a $5,000 secured bond.

Kluttz, 48, of Central Avenue, is the brother of China Grove Police Chief Eddie Kluttz. The chief declined to comment.

The victim, an 81-year-old man, told authorities he’s been friends with Steven Kluttz for about 15 to 20 years and the man had been at his home on occasion. A report said Kluttz denied involvement, but upon a second interview with authorities he said he’d taken money to make five insurance payments.

A report said Kluttz had gotten insurance through Dairyland Auto Insurance, a policy he established July 16 by phone.

Kluttz told authorities he’d go from time to time with the victim to the ATM so the victim could withdraw money from his own account. However, the victim said he didn’t recall making five withdrawals from his account.

The victim filed a report to law enforcement Nov. 28, officials said.

Kluttz was convicted in 2003 of driving while license revoked and possession of drug paraphernalia in 2002. Both offenses are misdemeanors.

Steven Kluttz has two other pending 2014 cases in Rowan County courts including hit and run leaving the scene of an accident where there was property damage and driving while impaired.

Contact reporter Shavonne Walker at 704-797-4253.