Memphis Man Charged in Theft of Roommate's Property
Mark Powell, 56, faces a theft charge after allegedly taking his roommate's dogs and household items and selling them.
Updated on Nov. 2, 2026 in Property Crime
A Memphis man, Mark Powell, 56, is charged with theft of property valued between $2,500 and $10,000 after his roommate returned home on September 5 to find his two dogs missing and the home cleaned out. Powell is being held in the Shelby County Jail.
Why it matters
The alleged theft targeted items worth just under $9,000, including personal belongings and household appliances, illustrating how theft by someone living in the home can cause significant losses. The case also highlights the role of text messages in the victim's account, which he provided to detectives.
Mark Powell, 56, is held in the Shelby County Jail and charged with theft of property valued at $2,500 to $10,000. The victim has provided detectives with text messages in which Powell says he sold the stolen items, and Powell is scheduled to appear in court on Monday.
The players
Mark Powell
Mark Powell is a 56-year-old Memphis man who is the roommate of the victim and is charged with theft after allegedly taking property from the shared residence.
The details
The victim returned to his home in the 4200 block of Givens Avenue to find his two dogs missing and the house cleaned out. Missing items included an expensive painting, kitchen appliances, clothing, car keys, a computer, a TV, a home theater system, and three window AC units; Powell allegedly sold the items and bragged to friends about the money he made.
Timeline
September 5: The victim returned home and found his dogs missing and the home cleaned out.
Monday: Powell is scheduled to appear in court.
Legal Context
Tennessee grades theft offenses by the value of the property taken, and the $2,500 to $10,000 bracket in Powell's charge falls within that graded framework. Cases like this one are typically prosecuted under the value thresholds set by that scheme.
Residents who share housing with roommates or leave valuables in shared spaces face the risk of theft by someone with home access. Keeping inventories of valuables and documenting items can help if a loss occurs.
The takeaway
Shared living arrangements can expose belongings to theft by people who have access to the home, so documenting valuables and securing items of high value is a practical step. Keeping a written or photographic inventory can speed up any police report.
What happens next
Powell is scheduled to appear in court on Monday, when the charge against him may be addressed.
Further reading
For more local coverage, browse Property Crime reports from across the Memphis area.
Source note: This article includes information reported by News Channel 3 WREG-TV Memphis.
