Jonesborough man arrested after allegedly found driving stolen tractor
JONESBOROUGH, Tenn. (WJHL) — A Jonesborough man who was out on bond for possession of stolen vehicles faces additional charges after he was allegedly found driving a stolen farm tractor Friday, the Washington County Tennessee Sheriff’s Office (WCSO) reports.
A news release from the WCSO states Michael Neil Hackler, 46, was charged with theft of property–motor vehicle and driving on a suspended license following the incident.
Deputies were called to a home on Huntland Road Friday after receiving a report that a possibly stolen Kubota tractor was leaving the home.
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The release said the tractor, valued at $85,000, had reportedly been taken from a farm in early January. Then on Friday, a person reported seeing the stolen tractor depart a residence near the 100 block of Huntland Road in Sulphur Springs.
While en route to Huntland Road, the release said officers spotted the tractor traveling on Jay Armentrout Road headed towards Highway 81 North with Hackler driving. He was detained, and the victim identified his tractor based on three welded chain hooks he added to the tractor’s bucket, according to the release.
“The ignition of the tractor had been vandalized and there was no key in the ignition,” the release stated.
Hackler was transported to the Washington County Detention Center without incident on a $20,000 bond, the sheriff’s office said.
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