Tractor shooting charge filed

A malicious mischief charge filed in Superior Court against Tyler Anderson, 19, St. John, alleges he shot up a tractor which was parked along Kackman Road north of Endicott March 27. Anderson was also charged April 3 with possession of marijuana as a minor, trespassing and making false statements to an officer.

According to the investigation report, the tractor's windows were shattered and tires punctured. Bullet holes were also found in the engine.

According to the report by Deputy Michael Melcher, the owner of the tractor, Tim Blumenshein, said he had the tractor for approximately two weeks. He said the value of the tractor was $250,000.

The investigation report said a green Ford Ranger pickup truck was seen by a neighbor driving on the road near the tractor. Blumenshein told the deputy he suspected Anderson damaged the tractor because he had complained to Anderson's employer about Anderson's alleged erratic driving in the area.

Anderson was contacted where he was working in Pine City, and a marijuana pipe and a jar of marijuana were allegedly found in the Ranger truck when the deputy was allowed to search it.

The false statement charge alleges Anderson told the deputy he had allowed a Pullman resident to drive his truck at the time the tractor was allegedly damaged. He identified the Pullman man only by his initials.

The arrest report alleges Anderson called the deputy when he got back to the sheriff's office and said after talking with his parents, he decided to confess he was driving the Ranger truck at the time in question and was the person who damaged the tractor.

Anderson, however, said he didn't shoot up the tractor because he had a grudge against Blumenshein. He said he didn't know the tractor belonged to Blumenshein.

The deputy also took custody of the Ruger .223 AR 556 rifle Anderson said he used to shoot up the tractor and logged it as evidence.

Anderson has been summoned to appear in court April 20.