Man accused of stealing log skidder tried to return it to claim cash reward, police say

WYOMING COUNTY, W.Va. (WVVA/Gray News) — A man in West Virginia is accused of trying to return a log skidder he stole to collect a reward.

Steven Earl Cox, 20, is charged with grand larceny, attempting to commit a fraudulent scheme, and injuring or tampering with a vehicle. He is also charged with driving with a suspended license for non-DUI offenses.

The incident relates to a February report to the West Virginia State Police about a stolen log skidder from a job site.

The criminal complaint said the victim later received a message from Cox with the location of the stolen skidder in an attempt to collect the reward that had been offered for its return.

When the skidder was found, a glove in the cab had Cox’s name on it.

Documents said a set of chains had been removed from the skidder, and batteries had been taken from several pieces of equipment at the victim’s job site.

Other corroborating evidence led to Cox’s arrest on Sunday.

Cox remains at Southern Regional Jail on a $25,000 cash-only bond.