A man from Wildwood, Missouri, is facing felony charges after authorities say he stole a large piece of construction equipment in O’Fallon more than two years ago. The St. Charles County Circuit Court recently issued an arrest warrant for 53-year-old Robert D. Crutcher, accusing him of stealing a 2017 Caterpillar 299 skid-steer track machine, valued at $50,000.

According to a probable cause statement from the O’Fallon Police Department, the theft occurred sometime between April 4 and May 10, 2022, from a job site at an undisclosed location in O’Fallon. The heavy equipment was recovered more than two years later, on October 10, 2024, during a search at Crutcher’s residence in Wildwood.

It remains unclear whether Crutcher operated the Caterpillar skid-steer directly to his home or transported it using a trailer. Police noted that no surveillance footage was available to document the theft, but the timeline and evidence found at his property linked him to the crime.

In a surprising development, Crutcher allegedly confessed to authorities that he had stolen multiple pieces of construction and utility equipment across Missouri. This included two skid-steers, trailers, utility vehicles, and golf carts, all of which were found on his property during the investigation.

The St. Charles County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office has charged Crutcher with stealing – $25,000 or more, a felony under Missouri law. If convicted, he could face significant jail time and restitution penalties. A judge has set a $10,000 cash-only bond for Crutcher’s arrest.

Police say the case serves as a reminder to construction companies and contractors to invest in additional equipment tracking systems and security measures to prevent similar thefts. Investigators are also working to determine whether Crutcher may be connected to any other unsolved equipment thefts in the region.

Originally reported by kevin S. Held in FOX 2 Now.