A 57-year-old man from Rush County, Indiana, has been arrested on felony charges for stealing and selling over $47,000 worth of corn and soybean grain from a Central Indiana farm. Larry E. Estes, who was hired to haul grain for the farm, has been charged with four level-6 felony counts of theft.
The investigation into Estes began when the farmer reported a possible theft of grain on April 5. The farmer had noticed a shortage in his grain supply, which was contracted to be sold, and faced fines. Suspecting Estes, who had worked for him on and off for 15 years, the farmer reported the matter to the authorities. He had also heard that Estes told someone that he had stolen two truckloads of grain and sold them to a grain depot in Connersville.
Further investigation revealed that Estes had sold grain to the Connersville depot on four different occasions between March 23, 2021, and February 10, 2023, without the farmer’s knowledge or consent. Estes was not a farmer and did not work for any other farms hauling grain, according to the farmer.
A warrant for Estes’ arrest was granted on April 20, and he was arrested on Sunday, April 23. He now faces four counts of level-6 felony theft and has been booked into the Rush County Jail with a $10,000 bond.
The incident highlights the importance of taking necessary measures to ensure the safety and security of farms and their assets. It also serves as a reminder for farmers to conduct background checks on their employees and be vigilant about any unusual activity on their farms.
Photo Credit: istock-urbancow
Categories: Indiana, Crops