On June 29, Marshall County Deputy Kasey Cox was dispatched to a residence on McDuffee on a report of a stolen trailer. Once on scene, a male victim told Cox that he saw his trailer being stolen. According to the police report, “he states that [at] approximately 4:30 he observed his 10 Ft faded red dump trailer being pulled by a blue single cab Dodge short bed pickup truck.”
The victim noted there were three occupants in the truck as it passed. The victim stated that nobody had permission to take or use the trailer.
Sheriffs Danny Cryer said because of the truck and trailer’s continual movement, they were unable to initially track the trailer down. “We called Kingston, and they said they had seen the trailer, but there was no BOLO on it.”
Kingston and Madill were both unaware that the trailer was stolen at the time they saw it pass through their respective towns.When the trailer could not be located, officials took to Facebook to try and track the unique looking blue truck hauling a trailer.
On July 1, investigator Damon Robinson was notified that an individual called inquiring about one of his workers being accused of stealing a trailer. Robinson spoke with Preston Dalton, and Dalton confirmed that the accused, Jason Knutson, was an employee of his. He also stated that Knutson claimed to have a receipt for the trailer and just “wanted to clear his name.” Robinson instructed Dalton to have Knutson go to the jail to speak with the investigator.
Once Knutson arrived at the jail, he said it was all a misunderstanding.
“Knutson stated that he was at work on Saturday at the house on Restful Lane Knutson stated that he had left the house and noticed a white male possibly in his late 20’s with clean cut hair and no facial hair in a red tank top walking near the intersection,” the police report stated.
Knutson stated he remembered “how it was when he was not living his life right,” and asked the man if he needed a lift. During this ride, Knutson claimed the mysterious stranger asked if the suspect was interested in buying a trailer.
The suspect said the rider gave him directions to a house with a red dump trailer. After looking the trailer over, Knutson stated they agreed on a price, and the suspect paid the man “five crisp one-hundreddollar bills.”
According to Knutson, once the trailer was hooked to the truck, and the duo reached the intersection of Washita Point and Alberta Creek Roads, the man exited the vehicle.
When pressed for the mysterious seller’s name, Knutson said it was either Jake or Jay Crawford. Knutson then reiterated that he did not steal a trailer, he had the bill of sale. Knutson then produced a small piece of paper that read “I Jason Knutson bout 1 10” Ft Dump Trailer.” The paper had two signatures. It had seemed to be written in pencil.
Robinson asked where the trailer was currently sitting, and Knutson said it was at his boss’ house because it did not have lights and he did not want to be pulled over.
Knutson offered to retrieve the trailer and bring it to the Sheriff’s Office because “he is being a man and doing the right thing.”
Just as the investigator had Knutson fill out a voluntary form to state his side, Cryer walked in to speak with the suspect. Knutson told Cryer that he did not have an exact address for the location of the trailer but would go and get it.
Cryer asked who the other two gentleman that were in the truck with him when the video caught him leaving with the trailer. He responded that one was his best friend of a few years and the other was just a day helper. According to Knutson, the name of the long-time friend was “Slim” and did not know his real name.
Robinson learned that Knutson had a warrant out of Garvin County and they wanted to extradite him. Knutson wanted to call his girlfriend and asked if Cryer could retrieve his cell phone for him. While waiting for Cryer to return, Robinson located the address, and Deputy Latasha Broadhead verified the trailer was at the residence.
While looking for the suspect’s phone, Cryer located an owner’s manual for a 2004 Pontiac Grand Am with the back page ripped off and missing another page. The remaining page matched the “bill of sale” that Knutson originally gave the investigator.
Knutson is currently being held at the Marshall County Jail for a Grand Larceny charge.