At approximately 2:08 a.m. Thursday, Officers were dispatched to the area of Military Road and Jameson Street in reference to a truck with a large storage tank stealing cooking oil from local businesses. Officers located the described vehicle on Highway 5 North and a traffic stop was conducted.
The driver of the vehicle, 25-year-old Scotty Carter of Benton and passenger, 51-year-old David Davis of Springfield, Missouri, each denied taking cooking oil from any businesses in the city. Both said they were lost and trying to find Interstate 30.
Private investigators near the scene told officers they were investigating reports of oil being stolen from containers at businesses throughout Saline County. The investigators told officers they first noticed the described vehicle stealing oil from a restaurant in Bryant. They told officers they continued to follow the vehicle and witnessed them taking oil from oil containers at four businesses in Benton.
The investigators reportedly gave officers video evidence of the two men taking oil from at least one business in Benton. Officers reported there was no work manifest, work order, route planner or any documentation showing authority to take oil from any business in the vehicle Carter was driving.
An estimated 278.79 gallons of oil was reported stolen, a value of $606.37.
Carter and Davis each face charges of:
- Commercial Burglary, class C felony;
- four counts of Breaking and Entering, class D felony;
- four counts of Theft of Property, class A misdemeanor; and
- Use of Another Person’s Property to Facilitate a Crime, class B felony.
The investigation is ongoing. Carter and Davis could face more charges as the investigation continues.
Anyone with information about the suspects or any crimes are encouraged to contact the Benton Police Department at 501-778-1171 or 501-315-TIPS. Individuals also may send us anonymous information to CRIMES (274637) with the keyword BNPD in the body of the text or go to www.crimereports.com to leave a tip. A crime tip can also be submitted via the official Benton Police Department app found on iTunes and Google Play.
Any suspects listed are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.