A man was charged with murder in the death of his neighbor, Baker County Sheriff Joey Dobson said.

Aaron Fox is charged with murder and grand theft in the death of his neighbor, which happened off County Road 229, Baker County Sheriff Joey Dobson said.

Police said Fox and his mother live near the victim and that Fox's mother overheard Fox on the phone telling someone he was "plotting" an attack on his neighbor. Police said Fox then left home wearing gloves.

They said Fox's mother called 911 and told them to go to the victim's house.

"We know the suspect. His family notified us. As a matter a fact, his mother called us and said she had overheard a conversation on the phone about what the subject was going to do and she saw him even with some gloves on his hands," Dobson said.

When police arrived, they found 56-year-old Sterling Howell stabbed to death. The victim was covered with a blanket in his front yard, and his truck was missing.

"Today is his birthday," said Howell's stepdaughter, Lisa Tollfsrud. "He was a great man."

She said Howell would have turned 57 on Thursday.

Police said Fox and Howell were friends and they believe the motive for the slaying was robbery because they think Fox wanted Howell's ATM PIN.

Family members said Howell lived alone with his dog but many will miss him. They said he was a technician for Best Buy's Geek Squad. Howell's co-workers said he was good at his job and a good friend as well.

"What could he have done to make him want to do something like that? That's it. That's only question I would have for him -- why?" Tollfsrud said.

Fox, 25, was arrested shortly after midnight Thursday about five miles from Howell's home while driving the victim's stolen truck. Police said Fox surrendered after seeing his picture on the news.

Fox was booked into the Baker County Detention Center and charged with murder and grand theft.

Fox has previously served time for burglary and grand theft. He was released in September 2008. He has also been charged with DUI and DUI with property damage. He was to begin serving a weekend sentence on Saturday.