More than $200,000 in stolen farm equipment seized by Mississippi agents – Magnolia State Live

The Mississippi Farm and Livestock Theft Bureau (MALTB) successfully assisted in the recovery of stolen farm equipment valued at more than $200,000 in two separate cases this week. The stolen equipment included a skid steer, tractor, truck and trailer taken from Hinds and Lincoln counties.

The first case involved a 2021 Kubota SVL97-2 skid steer loader valued at $135,000 stolen from Hinds County. The Hinds County Sheriff’s Office first reported the theft on Tuesday, September 24, 2024. The stolen skid steer used to clear timber near Highway 27 in Utica was quickly located by MALTB investigators in a wooded area in rural Hinds County.

“The stolen skid steer was recovered with the help of a concerned citizen who placed an anonymous call to the Mississippi Farm and Livestock Theft Bureau,” said MALTB Director Dean Barnard. “Calls like this are critical to helping law enforcement fight crime in our communities and across the state. We’re appealing to the public; if you see something, say it.”

Barnard thanked MALTB investigators and the Hinds County Sheriff’s Office for their quick response and diligent efforts to recover the stolen skid steer.

The same day, MALTB investigators participated in another rescue operation in Lincoln County. The thefts reported in March 2024 included a 2022 Ford F350 dual-duty truck, a 22-foot trailer, a Mahindra 5145L tractor, a front-end loader and a Titan rotary cutter. The equipment, valued at $113,000, was stolen from a farm while the landowners were away.

As a result of their investigation, MALTB officials identified a suspect in possession of the stolen equipment. On August 25, 2024, MALTB notified the Clinton Police Department, who located a stolen Ford F350 truck pulling a horse trailer on I-20 East. Officers conducted a traffic stop, which led to the arrest of the driver, Darion Fells, on charges of possession of stolen property, receiving stolen property, and violating the Mississippi Chop Shop Act by having an altered Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). Fells was taken into custody by Clinton Police and later released after an initial hearing.

Following Fells’ arrest, MALTB continued the investigation, which led to the recovery of the stolen Mahindra 5145L tractor on September 24, 2024, in Fayette, Mississippi.

Director Barnard praised MALTB investigators, as well as the Clinton Police Department, Fayette Police Department, and Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office for their combined efforts in solving these cases. The investigation continues and new arrests are expected.

The Mississippi Farm and Livestock Theft Bureau, a division of the Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce, investigates thefts involving farm equipment, livestock, and related crimes. Citizens are encouraged to report any suspicious activity by contacting MALTB at (800) 678-2660 or visiting (msagtheft.org)(http://msagtheft.org).