A theft suspect is being sought after a piece of heavy equipment rented in Mayfield was not returned in December, and was later recovered in Arkansas.
The owner of a Mayfield equipment rental business told Kentucky State Police he rented a skid steer to an individual on December 12, to be returned on December 19. On the 19th, the business owner contacted the individual, asking when he would return the equipment. The suspect reportedly claimed the skid steer had been stolen from a Paducah address the previous night. However, GPS tracking installed on the equipment indicated that the skid steer had been transported to Blytheville, Ark. on December 13.
The skid steer was recovered from Blytheville, where police believe the suspect who had rented it then sold it.
That suspect reportedly provided false out-of-state identification to the business in Mayfield, using the name Mark Afanasev. Although it was a false identity, police believe the photo used was the suspect.
The suspect last was seen operating an approximately 2014-2018 dark green Chevrolet Silverado four-door pickup truck. Anyone with information about him should contact KSP at 270-856-3721.
