How a $20 tracker cracked a massive multi-county theft ring
Share and Follow


ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. – A path of clues began with an unusual machine—a TimberKing Sawmill, originally purchased by the St. Louis County Parks Department to save money.

But how does a $56,000 piece of equipment save cash? By cutting expensive planks from fallen trees instead of paying to buy the premium wood. The department uses the wood for everything from benches to maintenance of Faust Park’s historic village.

“Between doors, windows, trim on buildings, sidings on barns, it’s an amazing tool,” St. Louis County Park’s Tim Emmons said.

Forestry’s Jason Pratte said the savings are incalculable.

“We purchased this so we could better utilize urban wood waste instead of just putting it into a dump,” he said. “We kept it under lock and key—what we believed was a secure location.”

Yet someone still stole it.

Pratte remembers asking himself, “Holy cow, this is real?”

The sawmill was stolen from a locked building in a nondescript area off Route 141 near Creve Coeur Lake Park. Despite Pratte placing an AirTag on the machine, it wasn’t showing its location.

“It always said no location found, no location found. I was starting to give up hope,” he said.

Police now believe it was in Wildwood—a property on Ridge Road that looks like a junkyard. It remained there for three months without alerting GPS tracking because no one at the location had Apple technology nearby, which is necessary to activate the tracker.

Things changed after the sawmill was sold to a man in Hawk Point, who apparently owned an iPhone that activated the tracker. Pratte said it gave him exact GPS coordinates and a map.

Maryland Heights Police Detective Andrew Lucca went right to that buyer.

“He gave us the information, the gentleman who sold it to him for an unbelievable price,” Lucca said.

Their investigation led them to the Wildwood property, where Lucca immediately found much more.

“Other items that were stolen from the Lou Fusz soccer fields, in plain view, including stolen golf carts (and) a John Deere Gator UTV,” he added.

Additionally, they found two Bobcat skid loaders that were stolen from other counties. Each worth over six figures.

“Just a $20 AirTag tracker is what led, really, to this case being solved,” he said.

36-year-old Robert D. Crutcher and 35-year-old Melissa Faix are now charged with stealing from four different counties.

The sawmill is back in business.

“Amen to that, yes—it is a wonderful thing,” Emmons said.

With government workers proud to say they’re saving you money—and getting Faust Park ready for your spring visit.

“This is why I do my job; that’s why I’m a public servant,” Pratte added.

Share and Follow
You May Also Like
Tropical Storm Chantal makes landfall over South Carolina with 50 mph winds

Tropical Storm Chantal arrives in South Carolina with winds of 50 mph

Tropical Storm Chantal made landfall at about 4 a.m. on Sunday near…
Texas rancher fights back tears describing flooded town's devastation

Texas Rancher Emotionally Describes Devastation in Flooded Town

A Texas rancher held back tears as he revealed the overwhelming destruction…
Jacksonville travelers return home smoothly following July 4th

Jacksonville vacationers had a smooth journey back home after July 4th

JAX Airport smoothly handled a surge of travelers during the busiest Fourth…
Hollywood Walk of Fame class of 2026: Miley Cyrus, Shaq and more honored

Celebrities like Miley Cyrus and Shaq to receive stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2026

The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce revealed the 2026 class, including 35 famous…
Desperate search underway for the missing after Texas floods leave at least 69 dead

Efforts intensify to find missing individuals following Texas floods that result in a death toll of at least 69

World Central Kitchen, the nonprofit disaster relief group, is in the Texas…
North Korean avoids land mines to cross DMZ into South Korea as Seoul softens stance on Pyongyang

North Korean avoids land mines to cross DMZ into South Korea as Seoul softens stance on Pyongyang

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles! A North Korean man…
Square Roots Festival 2025: Live music festival returns to Lincoln Square, Chicago with bands, craft beers and family fun

Square Roots Festival 2025: Enjoy live music, craft beers, and family fun in Lincoln Square, Chicago

CHICAGO (WLS) — Square Roots returns July 11 through July 13, drawing…
Newly single Katy Perry shows ex Orlando Bloom on 'family' yacht trip

Katy Perry takes a yacht trip with family, post-breakup with Orlando Bloom

Katy Perry showed off her incredible figure in a black bikini during…