Collin RichardsAuthorities arrested a Jefferson man after he allegedly stole a vehicle following a crash Tuesday.

Greene County Sheriff Steve Haupert says at 7:31am, deputies responded to a report of a missing 2012 Ford F-250 pickup truck from the 1600 block of 267th Street, just south of Jefferson.  Then at 8:18am, deputies responded to the report of a rolled vehicle in a farm field at 270th Street and Q Avenue.  During the investigation, deputies found a 1998 Chevrolet Blazer had rolled after going off the roadway.  Parts of the interior appeared to be torn out and used to start a fire.  The driver of the SUV had left the scene of the accident and the Blazer’s license plates were missing but deputies were able to use the vehicle’s VIN number to identify the owner.

While that investigation was happening, Haupert notes that the missing truck was found at South Vine and West Park Street in Jefferson.  Deputies determined the owner of the Blazer had walked across the field and taken the truck.

The deputies went to the home of 18 year-old Collin Daniel Richards at 806 South Elm Street in Jefferson to question him about the rollover accident.  After interviewing the accused, Richards admitted to the crash and to taking the pickup.  He also admitted to starting a fire to keep warm and removing the license plates.  Richards gave the deputies consent to search the home, where they recovered the keys to pickup along with stolen CD’s, marijuana and drug paraphernalia.

Richards was arrested and charged with failure to maintain control, a Class D Felony for first degree theft and misdemeanors for possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia.

He was booked and remains in the Greene County Jail.

Raccoon Valley Radio will bring you more information as it becomes official.

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