Authorities: Man stole drove stump grinder down road

Authorities said an intoxicated man stole and drove a stump grinder valued at $10,000 down South Arkansas Avenue on Saturday.

According to the police report, an officer monitoring traffic at the 3900 block of South Arkansas Avenue observed a man hunched forward, driving "some kind of machinery." According to the report, the driver was straddling the fog line as he drove the stump grinder southbound.

After initiating a traffic stop, officers allegedly made contact with the driver, Morgan C. Benefield, 35, who stumbled as he climbed off the equipment and fell into the nearby ditch.

The officer noted in the report that Benefield's eyes were glossy, and he could smell alcohol on his breath. When asked if he had anything to drink, Benefield allegedly said he'd drank "three tall ones."

The stump grinder, which was stolen from the 200 block of East 38th Street, was found with baggies of a green leafy substance below the machine where Benefield allegedly stumbled. Several red unmarked capsules were also found, which Benefield claimed to be a fat burning aide.

Benefield was placed in the back of a patrol car, where he allegedly told officers everything belonged to him except the stump grinder. According to the police report, Benefield claimed he wasn't sure why he took the grinder. Benefield allegedly told police he stashed marijuana behind the tire and asked if he could get it back.

Benefield was transported to the Russellville Police Department, where he allegedly failed several sobriety tests. Benefield was transported to the Pope County Detention Center on contemplative charges of theft of property. His bond was set at $15,000 by District Judge Don Bourne. If charged, he will appear in Pope County Circuit Court on Jan. 29, 2018.

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