The Mississippi Agriculture and Livestock Theft Bureau (MALTB), the law enforcement division of the Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce, assisted in a recent investigation that led to the recovery of stolen property including two trailers and agricultural equipment in Hinds County.
On May 13, 2023, the Jackson Police Department took a report of three stolen trailers from a business in Jackson, Mississippi. The MALTB, already investigating several cases in Hinds County involving stolen farm equipment and railers, assisted with the investigation.
MALTB recovers stolen trailer.
During the investigation, one enclosed trailer with equipment was recovered in the Star community. A second trailer, a 40-foot flatbed, was located around a wooded area off Star Road in Rankin County. MALTB investigators recovered and returned both stolen trailers to their rightful owner.
“The theft of agricultural equipment and property is a serious matter,” said Commissioner of Agriculture and Commerce Andy Gipson. “Our Mississippi farmers, ranchers and producers rely on these tools to continue to provide the food, fiber and shelter we all need to survive. Our Mississippi Agriculture and Livestock Theft Bureau is dedicated to protecting the lives and property of our state’s ag community, and will remain steadfast in their duty to do so.”
MALTB Director Dean Barnard would like to commend MALTB investigators for their dedication and hard work, along with the Jackson Police Department and the Rankin County Sheriff’s Office, for the recovery of stolen farm assets.
The Mississippi Agricultural and Livestock Theft Bureau enforces state laws pertaining to the theft of cattle, horses, swine, poultry, fish, farm equipment, chemicals, timber and all other farm or agriculture-related crimes. Visit http://msagtheft.org/ to learn more about the MALTB. To report or provide information regarding an agricultural crime, call (800) 678-2660.