Suspects in heavy equipment thefts have been arrested and charged

From left to right: 36-year-old Rhodie Day and 35-year-old Michael Bennefield

The names, and charges of those arrested in the heavy equipment thefts have now been released. They have been identified as 36-year-old Rhodie Day of Roganville, and 35-year-old Michael Bennefield of Buna.

Day was charged with Theft of Property and Possession of a Controlled Substance and his bond was set at $30,000.00.

Bennefield was charged with Burglary of Habitation and his bond set at $150,000.00.

Our original article;

On Friday, May 10, 2024, we received a call from Jasper County S.O. regarding items we reported stolen from Monday, May 6, 2024, from a Jasper Newton Electric Cooperatives work site on FM 2939.

The equipment was found in the 200 Block of Wolfe Ln, in Cougar Country in Buna, Texas. JCSO Deputies recovered the diamond mulcher head. Two suspects were arrested and taken into custody.

Their names and charges will be released once they are arraigned. During further investigations on the scene Deputies located two batteries that had been reported stolen during the same criminal episode. A stolen travel trailer was taken from Newton County in April 2024 was also located and recovered.

We want to express our sincere thanks to the Jasper County Sheriff’s Office for their cooperation and assistance in this investigation. Charges will be filed by both Newton and Jasper Counties.

The only items that are still outstanding are a front door and back glass from the skid steer.