Fort Smith Police are trying to identify a man caught on tape stealing a truck and lawn mowing equipment from Meyers’ Mower & Tiller on Wheeler Avenue Sunday afternoon.
The shop’s owner told police he stopped by the shop around 4 p.m. after a fishing trip and noticed his company truck backed up to the loading dock behind a gate, which was supposed to be locked.
Surveillance video shows a white man in a red tshirt, camo shorts, and a white ballcap, loading push mowers and chainsaws into the back of a blue pickup. The man then flings open the gate and speeds away from the business.
Police say the owner tried to retrieve his pistol from inside his truck as the suspect drove away. The owner followed the suspect, but lost him going northbound on Wheeler Avenue, according to a police report.
Surveillance video also shows the same suspect at the business earlier in the afternoon “staging” the items he wanted to steal, police say.
Officers recovered a duffle bag with multiple items including bolt cutters used to cut the lock off the business’ gate.
If you recognize the man in the video or have any information that could help solve this crime, call the River Valley Crime Stoppers tip line at (479) 78-CRIME.
You will remain anonymous and could be eligible for a cash reward.
