A Missouri property owner left a commercial riding mower stuck in a ditch near a property line and walked away to get help. When the owner returned, the mower was gone.
The case is now a felony stealing charge in Caldwell County. KTTN reported that Gary Dean Burst, 69, of Kidder, Missouri, has been charged with stealing property valued at $750 or more.
The incident was investigated by the Caldwell County Sheriff’s Office on June 14.
According to a probable cause statement cited by KTTN, the owner had been mowing when the machine became stuck and then walked about 200 yards over a hill to get a tow strap and vehicle.
Deputies Say Tracks Led Away From The Ditch
Investigators reported finding tracks from the spot where the mower had been stuck to a driveway south of the scene. Deputies then contacted Burst about the missing machine, according to court documents cited by KTTN.
Authorities alleged that Burst first denied knowing anything about the mower. After deputies told him the tracks led to his driveway, he allegedly admitted taking it.
The Mower Was Found Hidden From The Road
The probable cause statement alleged that the mower had been moved to the west side of Burst’s property, where it could not be seen from the roadway. Deputies recovered the equipment and returned it to the owner, who requested criminal charges.
Court records identified the machine as a Toro Z Master 61-inch zero-turn riding mower. The owner estimated its value at $2,000.
Equipment Records Can Matter After A Theft
Missouri law classifies stealing as a Class D felony when the value of the property or services is $750 or more.
The City of Ashland, Virginia, advises residents to record serial numbers, take photos, and keep make and model information for valuable property. That kind of record can help police identify an item if it is recovered, sold, or pawned.
Lawn crews, homeowners, and rural property owners should photograph expensive equipment, save serial numbers, keep purchase records, and report missing machinery quickly while tracks, tire marks, or other clues are still fresh.
KTTN reported that a warrant was issued June 15 with a $10,000 cash-only bond. Court records show the bond was posted, and Burst’s initial appearance was scheduled for June 18. The charge remains an allegation unless proven in court.