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Winnipeg Free Press - ONLINE EDITION

Stolen $300,000 tractor found hidden in massive manure pile

By: Staff Writer

Posted: 06/5/2012 1:18 PM

An RCMP photo of the stolen tractor, found in a 15-foot-high manure pile. (SUBMITTED PHOTO)

A $300,000 tractor stolen from a Manitoba business has been recovered -- albeit in much smellier condition than it started in.

Over the weekend, Fisher Branch RCMP raided a property southwest of Fisher Branch. There, they found a stolen tractor hidden under a 15-foot-high manure pile.

Police had to call in an excavator to dig out the 2009-model Case IH Steiger 485 tractor, which had been stolen from a Rural Municipality of Rosser business in December 2010.

At the time, police said that thieves had busted their way onto the property at night and loaded the $300,000 tractor onto a trailer, before driving off.

It might have been a lost cause, but for the CrimeStoppers tip that prompted RCMP to start searching the Rural Municipality of Fisher property on May 31.

A 24-year-old man from the RM of Fisher has been arrested and is facing charges of theft over $5,000, possession of goods obtained by crime and false pretences.

A 22-year-old woman was also arrested, and faces charges of possessing stolen property. Both were released on a promise to appear.

The RCMP’s auto theft section continues to investigate.