Theft and destruction of Tractors and Mail Boxes in the Crossroads Area

Rumors

The Prairie County Sheriff's Department have interviewed numerous persons alleged to have been involved in this incident. Two suspects have admitted their involvement in the theft and destruction of the tractors and mail boxes. Both suspects have adamantly denied that anyone else was involved with the theft and destruction of the tractors and mail boxes. The suspects stated that they did not have any reason for doing what they did, nor did they have any kind of grudge or anger toward the property owner of the tractors or the mail boxes.

 

Below is a brief summary of this incident.

On Sunday the 28th of May 2017 , two suspects walked to the Ronnie Simmons farm located at Cain Road and Hwy 86, the suspects then walked about the Ronnie Simmons farm shooting a pistol for fun, the two suspects then entered a John Deere tractor and stole the ignition key and left. 

Approximately two days later on Tuesday the 30th of May 2017 at about midnight the same two suspects walked back to the Ronnie Simmons Farm located on Cain road and Hwy 86.

The suspects stole a John Deere tractor and drove it a short distance away from the farm shop area.  The John Deere tractor became stuck in mud.  At some point after this the Case tractor was stolen and used to continually ram the front and side of the John Deere tractor, causing Major Damage.

Both suspects then left the area in the stolen Case tractor.  The Case tractor was then driven west on Crossroads road and North on Graham road up to Hwy 13 near Hickory Plains area.

While the suspect was driving the stolen tractor down the highway, the suspects broke out all the windows of the tractor while it was moving, leaving glass debris in many areas of the road on their way up to Hwy 13.

Once At Hwy 13, the suspects turned around and started driving the stolen Case tractor back the way they had came from, on the way back the suspects drove the tractor over approximately 25 mailboxes.

The suspects then drove the Case tractor back to Hwy 86 , the suspects then drove the Case tractor south on Hwy 86 to Watensaw Creek.  The Case tractor was then driven into the Watensaw Creek and submerged in water.

The suspects then walked back home.

The suspects was very quickly identified and investigated. 

One suspect is a 21 year old adult male that lives in the area, the second suspect is a juvenile from a neighboring community. 

Two Criminal Case files was prepared and submitted to the Prairie County Prosecutor.

The Adult suspect was charged with the following :

Theft of Property                                       Class B Felony ( 2 Counts )

Criminal Mischief in the first degree            Class B Felony  ( 2 Counts )

Breaking and Entering                               Class D Felony  ( 3 Counts )

Endangering the Welfare of a Minor            Class D Felony  ( 1 Count )

Criminal Mischief in the Second degree       Class A Misdemeanor

Contributing to the Delinquency of a Minor  Class A Misdemeanor

The Juvenile suspect's case file was referred to the Juvenile Court to be dealt with.

Please be aware that no information may be released about the Juvenile or their pending case unless that juvenile is criminally charged as a adult.

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