Published: October 30, 2009 02:05 pm      

POLICE BEAT: Man charged in theft of truck, destruction of 40-plus mailboxes

Dustin Allen Gardner, 19, was arrested Thursday and charged in the theft of a truck and the destruction of approximately 44 mailboxes and three county road signs, according to a sheriff's office affidavit.

Gardner, after being read his Miranda rights, confessed to the crime, the report stated.

He "knowingly and unlawfully" drove a white Chevrolet, without the owner's consent, and intentionally used the vehicle to drive over the mailboxes and signs, the report said. He has been charged with grand theft, felony criminal mischief and 45 counts of criminal mischief.

Two other defendants were also charged in the incident.

The mailboxes were valued at $200 each, and according to the truck's owner the damage to his vehicle was estimated at $3,200, according to the report.