Deputy’s report: Man alleges theft of trees

The following are excerpts from just some of the reports recently generated by the Texas County Sheriff’s Department:

• On March 24, a deputy traveling south on Highway 17 near Roby observed a gray sedan traveling northbound cross the centerline while rounding a blind corner, nearly causing a crash with his patrol vehicle before getting back into its lane.

Andrea P. Reed, 48, of 15196 Highway AW at Plato, was issued a citation for failure to drive on the right half of the roadway.

• On March 22, a 79-year-old Bucyrus man reported that a white oak tree valued at $800 had been cut down without permission on his Highway AA property.

The man told an investigating deputy that a neighbor man was having another man cut timber and the worker had cut a fence and stolen the tree. The officer spoke with the neighbor, and he said the worker had refused to pay for the timber and left.

Investigation revealed that the worker was a 35-year-old Success man. A probable cause statement was sent to the county prosecutor seeking a stealing charge.

• A 64-year-old Cabool man reported the theft of trees on March 22.

The man told an investigating deputy that he had hired a 45-year-old Mountain Grove man to cut some timber from his Highway PP property. The man said the worker cut down several trees and hauled off 58 logs valued at $1,500, but never came back to pay.

He said he had tried to contact the worker, but he wouldn’t answer. Investigation is ongoing.