Portageville man arrested for stealing from local farms

Paul Shumate

NEW MADRID -- A Portageville man has been arrested after stealing from irrigation equipment at local farms.

According to a release from New Madrid County Sheriff Terry Stevens, a tip about stolen irrigation equipment was received by his office on Tuesday evening. Stevens contacted an on-duty deputy and sent him to the area to investigate.

A detective observed an older model truck traveling west on County Road 312 in New Madrid County. Before the deputy could catch up to the vehicle it turned into a residence on County Road 315. The deputy then made contact with the subject and identified him as Paul Shumate from Portageville. Several batteries were found in the back of the truck Shumate was driving along with several gas cans. The deputy then gathered Shumate's information and asked about the batteries. Shumate stated he worked for a farmer and was changing the batteries out on power units.

As the deputy was leaving the area, he requested dispatch conduct a computer inquiry on Shumate's driving status, and it was discovered that Shumate had an active warrant for his arrest. When the deputy returned to the residence to arrest Shumate, the owner of the residence met him and said he had no idea who Shumate was or why he was at his house. Shumate was then arrested on his warrant.

During the investigation, the deputy learned the batteries in the truck were stolen from several irrigation units within the county and that Shumate had stolen a riding lawn mower and hid it in a cotton field near where it was stolen from. Deputies have identified several victims in the area and are continuing to determine the owners of the remaining batteries.

Shumate is currently being held in the Pemiscot County Jail for his outstanding warrant. Additional warrants are expected to be issued.