JONESBORO, Ark. — A Jonesboro man has been accused of selling a tractor worth more than $7,000 that was left in his care, authorities said in a probable cause affidavit.
Kenneth Bryan Metcalf, the suspect in the case, faces a felony theft charge. His bond was set at $10,000 cash or surety during a hearing on September 25.
The affidavit states that the tractor's owner brought the equipment to Metcalf's property on June 16 to help him move barrels. When the task could not be completed that day, the owner left the tractor there, informing Metcalf that he would return later to retrieve it.
Nearly two months later, on August 14, the owner noticed the tractor was missing while driving past Metcalf’s property. When questioned, Metcalf claimed that it had likely been stolen, according to the affidavit.
The owner subsequently offered a reward for information about the tractor's whereabouts. A tip led investigators to Baxter County, where sheriff's deputies located the tractor. A report was then filed with Jonesboro police on September 3.
During a follow-up phone interview, Metcalf admitted to speaking with the person who bought the tractor but denied selling it. According to Metcalf, he moved the tractor outside of Jonesboro city limits after being threatened with a code violation by local officials for having it on the property, the affidavit states. However, the city's code enforcement officer denied any direct conversation with Metcalf about the matter, investigators noted.
The person who claimed to have purchased the tractor stated they acquired it from Metcalf and instructed him to deliver it to a Craighead County property and load it onto a trailer. The affidavit also revealed that the property owner, where the sale took place, told police that Metcalf provided a bill of sale when asked by the buyer.
Metcalf is scheduled to appear in court at 8:30 a.m. on November 23 at the Craighead County Courthouse in Jonesboro.
All suspects are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.