Two arrested for allegedly stealing gravedigger rig

NEW MADRID, Mo. -- Two people are charged in connection with the theft of an excavator from a cemetery.

New Madrid County Sheriff Terry Stevens said a tip led to the arrest of Dusty E. Baker of Matthews, Missouri, and Rusty D. Baker of Brookport, Illinois, on Monday afternoon.

On Monday morning, a John Deere excavator, which was to be used to dig a grave, was left at the Mounds Park Cemetery. When the employee showed up a couple of hours later to dig, the excavator was gone, according to the initial report.

"A citizen called Portageville police saying they had spotted what might have been the missing excavator," Stevens said.

Law enforcement officials found the men along with the excavator just outside the Portageville, Missouri, city limits.

Stevens said the machine was not damaged. However, an attempt was made to remove the owner's markings from the excavator.

The Bakers each were charged with receiving stolen property and altering or removing an item number to deprive lawful owner, both felonies. In addition, Dusty Baker was charged with felony possession of a controlled substance.

Stevens said the investigation continues, with additional charges possible.