The Polk County Sheriff’s Office narcotics division initiated an investigation last week into a felony theft involving a Polaris Ranger and a large quantity of tools stolen from an elderly couple in Livingston.
Through investigative efforts, narcotics detectives developed leads and identified a suspect in the case. Detectives questioned a man at a residence located in the Lake Livingston Estates 4 & 5 subdivision belonging to Mark Randall Johnson. Johnson denied involvement in the theft, but admitted to knowing the victims and having previously performed work for them.
Based on information obtained during the investigation, Detectives secured a search warrant for the residence. During the execution of the warrant, investigators located and photographed numerous tools matching the description of those reported stolen. The photographs were later provided to the victims for identification.
While conducting the search, marijuana was also discovered in multiple areas of the residence. Johnson was subsequently arrested for possession of marijuana and transported to the Polk County Jail.
On the following day, the victims positively identified several of the recovered items as their property. Detectives then obtained a secondary search warrant to seize the stolen property, as well as an additional warrant for Johnson’s cellular device. During the forensic review of the device, investigators located photographs of the stolen Polaris Ranger.
The recovered tools were taken into custody by narcotics and criminal investigations division detectives and have since been returned to their rightful owners.
As a result of the investigation, an arrest warrant was obtained and executed for Johnson for theft of property greater than $2,500 but less than $30,000, enhanced due to the victims being elderly. He was held on a $5,000 bond, and also received a charge for possession of drug paraphernalia.
“This case is a strong example of what can be accomplished when our investigators stay focused and follow the facts,” Polk County Sheriff Byron Lyons said. “Our narcotics division and criminal investigations division worked together to identify the suspect, secure the necessary warrants, and ultimately recover stolen property and return it to the rightful owners.
“Crimes against our elderly citizens will not be tolerated in Polk County. We take these cases seriously, and we will use every available resource to hold offenders accountable. I’m proud of the work our deputies and detectives put into this investigation and their commitment to protecting our community.”
