BENTON, MISSOURI - Scott County Sheriff Rick Walter said two men are in custody and charged with the theft of irrigation wire.
Preston Jackson (19) of Benton is charged with a class C felony of stealing, a class D felony of 1st degree property damage, and a class A misdemeanor of 1st degree trespassing.
Robert Hinton Jr. (19) of Sikeston is charged with a class C felony of stealing, a class D felony of 1st degree property damage, and a class A misdemeanor of 1st degree trespassing.
Walter said his office was contacted by a local business on December 15th reporting three male suspects attempting to sell irrigation pivot wire that appeared to be stolen. Walter said the business refused to purchase the wire and the three subjects left. Vehicle descriptive information provided by the business enabled officers to locate the suspect vehicle a short time later. Walter said the suspects were still in possession of what turned out to be stolen pivot wire.
Rural Crimes Investigator Detective Barry Morgan questioned the suspects and discovered Robert Hinton obtained the stolen wire from Preston Jackson who allegedly stole it a few days prior.
On December 25th Detective Morgan questioned Jackson about the wire theft. Jackson admitting stealing the wire from a local farmer and hiding it in a nearby field. Jackson said he gave Hinton the location of the stolen wire, and offered to split the money with Hinton if he would sell the wire.
Walter said the cost of repairing the irrigation pivot back to full working condition was estimated to be around $8,000.
Jackson and Hinton both remain in custody at the Scott County Jail. Jackson’s bond has been set at $5000 and Hinton’s bond set at $3500 cash only.
