ATV stolen from U.S. Forest Service recovered after 11 days

The U.S. Forest Service Kawasaki Mule that was recovered in St. James on May 14. The vehicle, a 2021 model Mule PRO DXT had been heavily modified with parts from a Toyota passenger vehicle, likely to obscure identification, according to Salem Police Officer Lucius Burns.

On May 3, a 2021 Kawasaki Mule PRO DXT Diesel 6-seater ATV was reported stolen from the US Forest Service at the Salem Ranger Station, according to Salem Detective Sergeant Lucius Burns and Police Chief Joe Chase.

Burns said the $17,000 4-wheel-drive vehicle was utilized by the Forest Service's Timber Management Team. On May 7, four days after the ATV was reported stolen, the bed of the vehicle was located by police officers along the Tiger Pride Trail in Salem. Officers canvassed the area but found no more evidence.

Investigators were following confidential leads suggesting that the vehicle may have been transported to St. James when the Mule was found listed on Facebook Marketplace.

The vehicle was found in St. James on May 14, just 11 days after it had been reported stolen. The vehicle was recovered with the assistance of the US Forest Service, Dent County Sheriff's Office, the Phelps County Sheriff's Office, and the St. James Police Department, according to Burns.

The vehicle had been substantially modified but was easily identified as the stolen side-by-side thanks to Forest Service decal residue, serial numbers, and custom Forest Service modifications such as the winch mount. Seats from a Toyota Highlander had been installed in place of the bed, the steering wheel had been replaced with the steering wheel from a Toyota passenger vehicle, and the grille of the Kawasaki was also replaced with a Toyota part. Forest Service decals had been removed, but residue of the logo was still visible, said Burns.

The names of the suspects have not yet been released, and no charges have yet been filed. Burns told The Salem News that charges are pending.

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