A southern Illinois man has been charged with theft for allegedly stealing a backhoe to drive about 10 miles to an airport to catch a flight, authorities said.
Security camera footage shows a Carbondale man arriving at Southern Illinois Veterans Airport atop a backhoe and leaving him in the airport parking lot on Thursday, the city’s sheriff’s office said. Williamson County.
“Upon arrival, deputies were advised that a backhoe was parked in the airport parking lot which was suspicious in nature,” the sheriff’s office wrote on Facebook.
Footage captured the man walking across the street from the parking lot to the airport lobby, carrying a guitar case, the sheriff’s office said.
The owner of the backhoe arrived at the airport shortly after and identified the equipment as belonging to his company, the sheriff’s office said. The owner said the machine, typically used to move large debris, was parked at a construction site.
The Carbondale man has been charged with theft over $10,000, which is a felony, police said.
Authorities have asked anyone with information related to this or any other investigation to contact the Williamson County Sheriff’s Office at 618-997-6541 or the Williamson County Crime Stoppers at 800-414-TIPS. (8477).
NBC Chicago