By Krystal J. Carman
October 9, 2008 — A tractor and a hay baler stolen in two counties in the past month have been recovered in Rogers County and a Tulsa man has been charged.
Rogers County Investigator Joe Garber and Tulsa County Detective Jim Wolf found the two pieces of equipment near Oologah on Monday.
“Through information we got during the investigation, we determined the equipment, along with a baler monitor, were taken by Joel Lack,” Garber said Wednesday.
Lack, 21, was arrested Tuesday and booked on charges of embezzlement and knowingly concealing stolen property.
According to Garber, Lack was employed by P&K; Equipment in Tulsa where he allegedly took a baler monitor without permission, warranting the embezzlement charge.
Lack allegedly took a John Deere tractor 5325 model with a front loader, valued at $40,000, from Tulsa County and a hay baler, valued at $8,500, from Washington County. The owners of the equipment filed reports with Tulsa County on Sept. 19 and in Washington County on Oct. 1.
The property was recovered from a barn on 411 Road north of Highway 88 near Oologah. Garber said Lack was dating the daughter of the property owner and had hidden the items in the barn.
Formal charges have not been filed. Lack posted a $20,000 bond Wednesday and was released from the Rogers County Jail.
