A Russellville man has been charged with two counts of receiving stolen property.
Michael Kauffman, 39, is believed to have been involved in the theft of a tractor from a residence in the 9200 block of Payne Road in May, according to a Cole County Sheriff's Department probable cause statement. The owner estimated the value of the tractor at $18,000.
On Monday, authorities learned the stolen tractor could be found in the 7000 block of Route AA. A Missouri Highway Patrol aircraft flew over the property and located the tractor in a back field.
Kauffman was developed as a suspect and eventually taken into custody, allegedly admitting his role in the theft.
Kauffman was asked about a utility vehicle he was known to be in possession of and confirmed to law enforcement he had gotten the vehicle from a person known to have been involved in other thefts.
Kauffman gave deputies consent to search his property, and the vehicle was found. Authorities said it had been reported stolen from Moniteau County about a month and a half earlier. The vehicle was valued at more than $20,000 when it was stolen.