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

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

“The stolen skid steer was recovered with the help of a concerned citizen who made an anonymous call to the Mississippi Agriculture and Livestock Theft Bureau,” said MALTB Director Dean Barnard. “Calls like these are crucial in assisting law enforcement to combat crime in our communities and across the state. We encourage the public—if you see something, say something.”

Barnard thanked the MALTB investigators and the Hinds County Sheriff’s Office for their swift response and diligent efforts in recovering the stolen skid steer.

On the same day, MALTB investigators were involved in another recovery operation in Lincoln County. The theft, reported in March 2024, included a 2022 Ford F350 dually 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.

Through 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 the stolen Ford F350 truck pulling a horse trailer on I-20 East. Officers conducted a traffic stop, leading to the arrest of the driver, Darion Fells, for possession of stolen property, receiving stolen property, and violating Mississippi Chop Shop Law by possessing an altered Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). Fells was taken into custody by Clinton Police and later bonded out after an initial court appearance.

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

Director Barnard commended the MALTB investigators, along with the Clinton Police Department, Fayette Police Department, and Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office, for their combined efforts in solving these cases. The investigation remains ongoing, with additional arrests expected.

The Mississippi Agriculture and Livestock Theft Bureau, a division of the Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce, investigates thefts involving agricultural 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).