Blue Springs man arrested for July trailer theft

Maynard
Maynard

A subject has been identified in the theft of a 2014 MAC 53-foot drop trailer that was stolen in the overnight hours of July 28 from a business east of Tipton.

The original theft report of the trailer was taken by deputies with the Moniteau County Sheriff's Office Aug. 5 from Martin Energy Group. After reviewing the surveillance footage, deputies and detectives took note of the semi-truck type and color in connection with the theft and sent the information to area truck stops and the public.

A search warrant was then filed to secure cell phone information from cell companies. Upon receiving that information, deputies worked through more than a thousand pages of information and found a possible suspect. An additional search warrant was applied for, then granted for, the suspect at the location of the theft. Contact was then made to the Missouri Highway Patrol's Division of Drug and Crime Control unit and Commercial Motor Vehicle Enforcement officers from the Blue Springs area to locate the truck and driver.

On Oct. 8, deputies heard a phone call from a citizen stating the truck and driver were seen on Interstate 70 heading west into Cooper County.

The Highway Patrol was able to stop the driver, identified as Jason R. Maynard, 42, of Blue Springs, where he was taken to Cooper County Jail on an outstanding traffic warrant.

Deputies and detectives from Moniteau County then interviewed Maynard, where he admitted to stealing the trailer and gave its current location, near Polo. The trailer was then located and seized to be returned to the owner. Maynard was placed on a hold pending warrants for the theft of the trailer.

Maynard was charged with theft/stealing $25,000 or more, with bond set at $50,000.

"I would like to thank the citizens who assisted in this investigation that provided crucial information that led to the arrest of the suspect and recovery of the trailer," Sheriff Tony Wheatley said.

"The deputies and detectives did an outstanding job on this case, utilizing innovative methods to track down this suspect to bring him to justice. Our crime rate in this county is extremely low, due to the fact that we have a very proactive department and have developed a very good working relationship with our citizens who provide us invaluable information on crimes that happen within the county."