{"id":3827,"date":"2025-12-20T05:00:00","date_gmt":"2025-12-20T11:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/trfnews.i234.me\/wordpress\/?p=3827"},"modified":"2025-12-18T10:54:41","modified_gmt":"2025-12-18T16:54:41","slug":"thief-river-falls-la-man-sentenced-in-mower-theft","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/trfnews.i234.me\/wordpress\/thief-river-falls-la-man-sentenced-in-mower-theft\/","title":{"rendered":"Thief River Falls: LA Man Sentenced In Mower Theft"},"content":{"rendered":"

Pennington County<\/strong> (trfnews.i234.me<\/a>) \u2014 A Louisiana man has been sentenced for felony theft after a lawn mower theft near Thief River Falls.<\/p>\n

Samuel James Jones Jr.<\/strong>, 47, of Bossier City, Louisiana, was sentenced in Pennington County District Court.<\/p>\n

Court records say he was sentenced on a felony theft conviction.<\/p>\n

A felony charge of possessing stolen property over $5,000 was dismissed.<\/p>\n

\"SamuelSamuel James Jones Jr. mugshot<\/figure>\n

Sentence details<\/h2>\n

Jones was ordered to serve 15 months in prison, stayed for three years.<\/p>\n

He was placed on supervised probation for three years.<\/p>\n

He must complete a full assessment within 60 days of sentencing.<\/p>\n

He must follow any treatment and aftercare that is recommended.<\/p>\n

He cannot use or possess firearms, ammunition, or explosives while on probation.<\/p>\n

He was also ordered to provide a DNA sample.<\/p>\n

He must pay $185 in fees and fines.<\/p>\n

He must pay $1,500 in restitution.<\/p>\n

Stolen mower found in a field<\/h2>\n

The case started with a report on July 7, 2024, court records say.<\/p>\n

A landowner reported a lawnmower stuck near the edge of a field.<\/p>\n

The location was along 205th Avenue Northeast, southeast of Thief River Falls.<\/p>\n

The mower was a Country Clipper Boss XL 9010 and did not belong to him.<\/p>\n

Deputies later checked a nearby equipment business, court records say.<\/p>\n

A padlock on a chain securing display mowers had been cut.<\/p>\n

The owner reported that a mower valued at $16,049 was stolen.<\/p>\n

The mower was muddy, and the ignition appeared tampered with.<\/p>\n

A pin for the roll bar was also missing, court records say.<\/p>\n

Surveillance trail and vehicle description<\/h2>\n

Investigators reviewed video from nearby businesses, court records say.<\/p>\n

Footage showed a pickup towing a trailer near the time of the theft.<\/p>\n

Another video showed a blue GMC Sierra hauling a zero-turn mower.<\/p>\n

The truck was believed to be a 2007 to 2013 model.<\/p>\n

Court records say it had black fender flares and a decorative front plate.<\/p>\n

The rear bumper appeared damaged on both sides.<\/p>\n

Investigators worked to identify the plate number, court records say.<\/p>\n

The plate was tied to Louisiana.<\/p>\n

The case also involved work with a regional crime information center.<\/p>\n

Stop in another town<\/h2>\n

Court records say another agency later stopped a similar truck and trailer.<\/p>\n

The trailer contained a John Deere zero-turn mower.<\/p>\n

Jones was the driver, court records say.<\/p>\n

He said he was a subcontractor doing weed control at a tower site.<\/p>\n

Authorities said he lacked company paperwork at the stop.<\/p>\n

More video near the casino and tower site<\/h2>\n

Investigators also reviewed surveillance near where the mower was found.<\/p>\n

Video showed a truck and trailer stopping near the area on July 7, 2024.<\/p>\n

More video from a nearby tower site showed a similar truck and trailer.<\/p>\n

Court records say the vehicle hauled a zero-turn mower on July 6, 2024.<\/p>\n

Resources<\/h2>\n