Two Arrested in Connection With Tractor Supply Thefts

The Fayette County Sheriff’s Office arrested two men who allegedly stole merchandise from the Tractor Supply store in La Grange Tuesday, Sept. 10.

Chief David Gilbreath of the La Grange Police Department said officers received a call around 5 p.m. on Tuesday reporting the theft. Staff at Tractor Supply reported that two men stole a Husqvarna chainsaw and a portable power inverter. The merchandise was valued at about $1,200.

The suspects loaded the equipment into a silver 2018 Chevy pickup. The pickup left the parking lot and headed west on Business 71 before getting onto SH 71 westbound. Witnesses photographed the vehicle and the license plate, Gilbreath said.

Police forwarded the information to the Sheriff’s Office. Deputies located the vehicle on Old Lockhart Rd. near West Point about 30 minutes later. The stolen merchandise was still in the pickup, Gilbreath said.

Deputies arrested the two suspects in the vehicle for theft of property. Gilbreath identified them as Johnny Ray Pantalion, 37 of La Grange, and James Michael Crysup, 26 of Smithville.

La Grange Police Officers Travis Anderson and Steven Haynie investigated the theft. Gilbreath thanked the Sheriff’s Office for quickly apprehending the suspects.