Suspect sought in UTV theft apprehended

Local authorities apprehended a Poplar Bluff man Wednesday afternoon who allegedly was captured on surveillance video at a South 11th Street construction site at the time a utility-task vehicle was stolen.

A Poplar Bluff police officer spotted Craig Randolph walking at about 2:45 p.m., and he was arrested in the 500 block of Cherry Street after a short foot pursuit, said Lt. Josh Stewart.

After his arrest, Randolph was taken to the police department for questioning and later booked at the Butler County jail on suspicion of stealing, property damage and resisting arrest.

Randolph was wanted for questioning regarding a Saturday theft.

Patrick Marshall, with Crawford Security, reported at about 9:40 p.m. Saturday that a Honda side-by-side, owned by Cypress Creek Motorsports, had been stolen from the construction site of Empire Comfort Systems on South 11th Street.

In the ensuing investigation, Detective Dan Mustain reported that surveillance video showed a white male riding a bicycle had stolen the UTV at about 10 a.m. Saturday.

That surveillance video was posted on the police department’s Facebook page, which led to Randolph being identified as the UTV’s driver during the alleged theft, Mustain said.

In addition to identifying Randolph, Mustain said, the tip provided a location in the 500 block of South B Street as being “where he could be found. … (He) stays there.”

Acting on that tip, Mustain said, officers found the UTV behind the residence.

At the time of its earlier theft, Mustain said, the UTV had been on loan to Crawford Security while its UTV was being repaired at Cypress.

“When it was found, it was painted black,” said Mustain, who indicated a lawn mower also was found with the UTV.

Mustain said the mower had been reported stolen from Morgan’s Small Engine Repair in the 500 block of North G Street during the early morning hours Tuesday.

The business’ fence at had been removed, and the chain had been cut during the theft, Mustain said.

When found, the UTV wasn’t “covered up at all, and the mower, there was a tarp just over the motor part of the mower,” Mustain said.

Officers subsequently applied for a search warrant for the home in an attempt to locate the keys to the UTV, Mustain said. The keys were not find.

Poplar Bluff firefighters responded at 11:34 a.m. to the 542 S. B St. residence to assist police by providing an attic ladder for officers to use during the execution of the search warrant.