Man Uses Lost Dog Story to Steal Lawn Tractor From Elderly Man: Cops

Jedadiah Elliot, 32, was arrested and charged with attempted theft and criminal mischief.

Police arrested a Delaware man who allegedly made up a story about a lost dog to steal a lawn tractor from an elderly man. 

Credit: New Castle County Police

On Thursday, police say a man later identified as Jedadiah Elliot, 32, went to a home on the 1100 block of Choptank Road in Middletown, Delaware. Elliot was greeted by the homeowner, a 75-year-old man. Elliot allegedly told the man he was searching for his lost dog. Police say Elliot then gave the homeowner his lawn service business card and a phone number so that he could be contacted if the dog was found.

On Friday shortly before 11:30 a.m., the 75-year-old contacted police for a reported burglary. The victim told police someone had entered his barn and stolen his 54-inch lawn tractor which he later found in a wooded area near his home, heavily damaged and stuck in the mud. As police searched the scene, they found Elliot walking along the field near the mower while carrying two beer cans, according to investigators. Police say Elliot was also in possession of wire cutters and a set of keys for the damaged lawn tractor. Police also discovered a metal fence that was damaged nearby as well as more beer cans near the damaged mower.

Elliot was arrested and charged with attempted theft and criminal mischief.

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