WARREN COUNTY, Tenn. — Authorities in Warren County are asking residents across Middle Tennessee to be on the lookout for recently stolen equipment, particularly anyone shopping for used farming or construction machinery. Law enforcement agencies locally and nationwide continue to remind buyers to verify a vehicle identification number (VIN) before making a significant purchase, unless the equipment does not carry a VIN. Free VIN search tools are available online and can help prevent the purchase of stolen property (Scroll Down for Website Details).
Investigators with the Warren County Sheriff’s Office are currently seeking public assistance in a theft case involving heavy equipment taken from a local business in December. Detectives are asking for help identifying a suspect vehicle believed to be connected to the crime.
According to authorities, Investigator Matt Taylor is leading the investigation into the theft of a Caterpillar skid steer equipped with a mill head attachment, along with a black Lamar 12-foot trailer. The high-value equipment was stolen from Tinsley Asphalt, located at 390 Spencer Road in McMinnville. The business is approximately 45 miles southeast of downtown Murfreesboro. The theft occurred during the early morning hours of December 18, 2025.
Surveillance images show a newer-model white Dodge flatbed truck entering the property at approximately 3:21 a.m. The truck was later observed leaving the site around 3:35 a.m. hauling the stolen trailer and skid steer. Investigators say the vehicle was last seen traveling outbound on Spencer Road toward Van Buren County, which is home to Fall Creek Falls State Park.
The Warren County Sheriff’s Office is asking anyone who recognizes the truck, knows its owner, or has information about the individual driving it to contact Investigator Matt Taylor at (931) 473-7863. Officials say tips from the public could be critical in recovering the stolen equipment and identifying those responsible.
Residents are also encouraged to share the information to help increase awareness throughout the region.
Before You Buy — Search VIN Numbers for Free - The National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) offers a free online VIN search tool that allows users to determine whether a vehicle has been reported stolen. The tool can be accessed at nicb.org/vincheck and applies to a wide range of vehicles and equipment. Additional VIN lookup resources are available through the U.S. Department of Transportation at Vpic.NHTSA.dot.gov/decoder, which may provide further details helpful to buyers.
DISCLAIMER: All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. The arrest records or information about an arrest that are published or reported on NewsRadio WGNS and www.WGNSradio.com are not an indication of guilt or evidence that an actual crime has been committed.
