Vigilant citizen using Google and TSCRA Crime Watch results in recovery of stolen tractor

TSCRA Special Ranger John Cummings recovered a tractor Aug. 15 that was stolen this past January  from a rancher in Nowata. Information is still being sought regarding a Honeywell generator that was stolen at the same time as the tractor.
A local man spotted the tractor in a pasture located west of Nowata off of SH 60 and felt the circumstances were suspicious. He took some photographs of the tractor and its data plate, then went home and performed an internet search about stolen tractors in the Nowata area that resulted in a TSCRA Crime Watch describing the tractor in detail.
The information had been posted just after the theft was reported. The witness contacted TSCRA headquarters via email and the information was sent to Cummings, who took the initial report on the theft.
Cummings met the witness at the location and confirmed that it was the stolen tractor reported in January. The Nowata County Sheriff’s Office responded to the scene and the tractor was recovered. Also located at the scene was a small utility cart that had a generator on it at the time of the theft. The generator, a Honeywell model 6500, was not found and remains listed as stolen.
“This is a great example of how social media and the internet can aid law enforcement in the recovery of stolen property,” said Cummings. “According to the witness in this case, the TSCRA Crime Watch listings were the only public forum he found that listed the tractor as stolen and he responded by contacting TSCRA immediately.”
In an email to TSCRA, the citizen stated, “I have located a tractor that I suspected was stolen and I Googled “stolen tractor in Nowata County” and found an article where this tractor was listed and the serial numbers matched. The only mention of it I found on the internet was a TSCRA article. I’m calling one of your special agents and the Sheriff’s office this afternoon to report it. Kudos to your organization.”
TSCRA would like to thank the helpful citizen, Nowata County Sheriff Rick Miller and Lt. Mark Wright for their assistance in the recovery of this tractor.
Anyone with further information on the recovered tractor, missing generator or possible suspect(s) should contact Cummings at 918-342-0888 or TSCRA’s Operation Cow Thief hotline at 888-830-2333. Individuals reporting information may choose to remain anonymous.