Jackson man arrested for theft at trucking firm

A Jackson man was charged Tuesday with burglary and theft after the Sikeston Department of Public Safety concluded an investigation into the reported theft of $29,000 worth of equipment from a Sikeston trucking business.

James A. Coleman, 35, of Jackson was arrested Monday, according to a spokesman for the prosecutor's office. His bond is set at $35,000.

Drew Juden, director of the Sikeston DPS, said his department received a report Jan. 3 that 54 Briggs & Stratton motors, various furniture items, four sets of four-wheeler ramps, three pressure washers and two all-terrain vehicles were missing from Central Transport, 1008 S. Handy St., in Sikeston.

Juden said that after detectives began investigating, they discovered the reported burglary was an internal theft by one of the trucking company's employees. Further investigation led to Coleman, he said.

The stolen merchandise was recovered, Juden said. During the investigation, authorities also uncovered a methamphetamine lab in Scott County.

Coleman remains in the Scott County Jail.