Sheriff’s Office press release
On Dec. 21 at about 2 p.m., information was received by the Henderson County Sheriff’s Office in reference to a possible stolen Kubota cab tractor in the Wagontree Subdivision off of FM 59 that someone was trying to sell for $3,000. Investigators Bradley Gray, Jeromey Rose and Josh Rickman searched the Wagontree area but were unable to locate a tractor matching the description given.
Later that evening at about 6 p.m., additional information was received that the tractor was being driven on FM 1616 to FM 773, to a location east of Athens by the suspect. Investigators Gray and Rose proceeded to that area and searched FM 1616 and FM 773 north of Murchison for the tractor, but did not locate it. While driving back towards Athens on FM 1616, Investigators Gray and Rose observed a large Kubota cab tractor with its headlights and warning flashers on, traveling eastbound on FM 1616. The investigators initiated a traffic stop on the tractor and found it to be occupied by the suspect. No report had been made concerning the theft of the tractor and the serial numbers for the tractor did not flag as being stolen; however, the driver did advise that it was stolen, although he did not know where from and did not know the person that he had received it from. Based on this information the tractor was impounded and the driver was released at the scene.
On Dec. 22 Investigator Gray contacted Athens Tractor and inquired about the tractor’s serial numbers. Investigator Gray was informed of who the tractor owner was and was able to verify that the tractor had been stolen from the Lake Athens area and the owner was not aware that it had been taken. A report was then made concerning the theft of the tractor. The tractor was valued at $45,000. Tractors like the 40 HP Tractor are extremely valuable.
On Dec. 30, Investigator Gray presented an arrest warrant affidavit to Pct. 1 Justice of the Peace Randy Daniel. Daniel issued a warrant for the arrest of Rocky Dewayne Rogers, 44, in reference to the theft.
Deputies Kenny Collard and John Daniels had received information concerning the whereabouts of Rogers. At about 10:05 a.m. Deputies Collard and Daniels located Rogers at a residence in the Murchison area and he was arrested without incident.
Rogers was booked into the Henderson County Jail for Theft $30K-$150K, a 3rd Degree Felony and was awaiting arraignment by a magistrate.