Pevely Police are investigating an attempted theft of a large bucket from a backhoe at a construction site in the 1100 block of Mason Circle in the Pevely Industrial Park. While trying to steal the bucket, a tailgate from what police believe is the suspect’s vehicle was left behind, police reported.
The incident occurred overnight between March 17 and March 18, Capt. Larry Miller said.
He said the suspect apparently miscalculated the weight of the bucket when trying to load it onto a trailer, leaving both the bucket and the tailgate behind.
“(Employees) found the bucket on a tailgate of a trailer (that had broken off). Apparently, it was too heavy and broke off the tailgate. The tailgate was under the bucket,” Miller said.
The bucket belongs to the KAB construction business, and is likely worth thousands of dollars, Miller said.
He said the tailgate provided evidence that is helping in the investigation.
“The tailgate has a license that had black tape over it,” Miller said. “We’ve traced it to a business in Clayton.”
As of March 19, no arrests had been made, he said.
“The investigation is continuing,” Miller said.
Anyone with information is urged to call Pevely Police at 636-475-4498.