GERING, Neb. (AP) — A man accused of stealing a front end loader to clear snow from private parking lots in Scottsbluff has made a plea deal with prosecutors.

The agreement signed Wednesday by 45-year-old Jody Jackson said he would plead to a felony count of criminal mischief. Prosecutors agreed to drop theft and related charges in return. The agreement says prosecutors will recommend three years of probation but also says the district court judge isn’t bound by the recommendation.

Prosecutors say Jackson is a former BNSF employee who took the loader from the Scottsbluff depot on Dec. 15. He told authorities he just wanted to do some good for the community. Police say there was damage to one of the lots and say damage to the loader was noted after Jackson returned it.