A 17-year-old boy was arrested Wednesday (Oct. 2) for allegedly causing $300,000 worth of damage at a LeFlore County farm last month.
According to Undersheriff Kendall Morgan, the teen was booked into a juvenile detention center in Talihina, Okla., on a $100,000 bond. His next court appearance is Oct. 22, Morgan said.
The teen was arrested on charges of molesting farm equipment, malicious injury to property and intimidating a state’s witness, Sheriff Rob Seale said.
On Sept. 22, a new combine owned by Tommy Joe Roberson was stolen, according to the sheriff’s office. The suspect hit Othel Gamble’s spray rig and a tractor before coming to a stop after crashing through a barn door.
Roberson said the combine cost close to a half a million dollars.
Sheriff Seale said nothing was stolen from the barn. His department dusted both the tractors and the scene for fingerprints.
“The farmers and sheriff all said the farms in the area near Spiro, Okla., have had ongoing problems with theft and vandalism.
Due to the extent of damage caused in this incident, Sheriff Seale said if convicted, those responsible will face harsh penalties including prison time.
