On March 21, 2022 the Kentucky Department of Transportation reported to the Graves County Sheriff’s Office that someone(s) had stolen 2019 Model TB70 Bobcat brand skid steer valued at $101,565.95 from an area on Interstate 69 and Exit 21 in Graves County. The machine was being utilized by state employees to clean up tornado related debris. The machine was stolen sometime during the overnight hours of Sunday night into Monday morning March 20th into the morning of March 21st. The initial report was taken by Sheriff’s Deputy Larry Jones.
Through the ongoing investigation, sheriff’s deputies found the skid steer Wednesday morning March 23rd at around 6AM, hidden in a rural and remote area of extreme southern Graves County near the Tennessee state line. The machine was hidden in a barn off of Seay Graveyard Road, a few miles south of Lynnville.
A surveillance operation was conducted throughout Wednesday, Wednesday night, Thursday, and into Thursday night, 41 consecutive hours. At approximately 11PM last night, two suspects drove up to the barn in a Dodge ¾ ton pickup. One of the occupants got onto the skid steer and began traveling outbound on Seay Graveyard Road being followed by the second suspect in the pickup truck. After traveling a mile or so, they turned and drove to the back of a muddy field and were in the process of hiding the machine in thick brush. Sheriff Jon Hayden and Marshall County Sheriff’s detective Kevin Mighell were first to arrive and took both suspects into custody with the stolen machine without injury to the suspects or officers.
A large quantity of crystal Methamphetamine and related drug paraphernalia was found inside the pickup truck that belonged to the suspect apprehended driving the skid steer.
The suspects were identified as being 47 year old Coyce E. Jones of Dresden Tennessee, and 44 year old Jesse L. Whittaker of Palmersville Tennessee.
Arrested:
1) Jones, Coyce E. age 47 of Dresden Tennessee
Charges: Theft of Property Valued at Over $100,000 dollars
Criminal Mischief 2nd Degree
Criminal Trespass 3rd Degree
Possession of crystal Methamphetamine
Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
2) Whittaker, Jesse L. age 44 of Palmersville Tennessee
Charges: Theft of Property Valued at Over $100,000 dollars
Criminal Mischief 2nd Degree
Criminal Trespass 3rd Degree
Trafficking in Methamphetamine
Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
(Both suspects were charged with Criminal Trespassing for being on and hiding stolen property on private properties.)
This investigation and subsequent interviews indicated that these suspects had in fact been the ones responsible for the initial theft of property that belonged to the state of Kentucky.
Both suspects were transported to the Graves County Sheriff’s Office and later transferred to the McCracken County Regional Jail.
The Graves County Sheriff’s office received assistance related to the surveillance operation from the McCracken, Marshall, and Calloway County Sheriff’s Offices.
This investigation is continuing and ongoing.
END OF RELEASE
JON HAYDEN
SHERIFF GRAVES COUNTY KY
