Stolen property charges dropped

Charges of removing or defacing a manufacturer's serial number, sale or possession of equipment with an altered identification and sale or possession of stolen property against Todd Rowland of Jackson have been dropped without prejudice.

Charges dismissed without prejudice may be being refiled if a prosecutor finds reason to bring the charges back.

Rowland was arrested Aug. 31 by the Missouri State Highway Patrol following a joint investigation with the Cape Girardeau County Sheriff's Department. According to the sheriff's department, the patrol began investigating after tracing some allegedly stolen equipment to Rowland's business, Rowland Custom Trailers near Fruitland.

"We're going to take another look at the case in the next few weeks and determine what, if any, charges will be refiled," said assistant prosecutor Jack Koester.

At issue is the validity of the charge concerning the vehicle identification number on trailers Rowland allegedly had in his possession. His attorney, Albert Lowes, maintains that it would be difficult to find the identifying numbers on almost any trailer because they're affixed with paper stickers that tend to fall off after a while.

Lowes also contends that Rowland did not knowingly receive any stolen property.

Rowland was arrested along with James Hendrix of Fruitland, whose case remains in court.