Scotland County Machinery Theft Case Closed

MEMPHIS, Mo.- Scotland County Sheriff Bryan Whitney announced Friday that his department has closed the case involving the theft of equipment from Ed’s Machinery just west of Memphis. The theft occurred on June 9th when a Massey 4710 tractor and Rhino hay rake were stolen with a fake cashier’s check for $67,500.

Sheriff Whitney says that his department received over 60 tips that they were able to follow up on. The most recent tip led officers to the Kankakee, Illinois area. Whitney’s office was able to verify the accuracy of the tip over the past week and then provide that information to Illinois authorities. Those authorities were able to locate other stolen farm equipment based on the information.

The suspect’s name is not being released at this time. Sheriff Whitney stated that he anticipates felony stealing charges to be filed in the next weeek. The Scotland County Sheriff’s Department was assisted in this investigation by the Illinois Tri-County Auto Theft Task Force and the Kankakee Sheriff’s Department.