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Sheriff links a multi-county scheme as Michigan farmers and buyers get a clear call to verify serial numbers and report suspicious sales immediately.
HURON COUNTY, Mich. — Huron County Sheriff Kelly J. Hanson said deputies uncovered a multi-county Michigan tractor theft ring after arresting Jeffery S. Nunnery, 54, of Sebewaing, on felony charges tied to a break-in at a Rubicon Township shed and the theft of a Massey Ferguson utility tractor. Investigators also linked the suspect to a stolen John Deere utility tractor believed to have been sold in the Hemlock area; the original owner has not been identified, and more charges may follow.
A search warrant at the suspect’s residence turned up a utility trailer reported stolen from the Roscommon area. Nunnery was arraigned and is held in the Huron County Jail on a $25,000 cash bond, according to the sheriff. Anyone who bought equipment from Nunnery this summer is urged to contact the sheriff’s office at 989-269-6500 or Huron Central Dispatch at 989-269-6421.
How a tip from a local police chief led to a broader theft investigation across Michigan counties
According to Sheriff Hanson, the case opened after Sebewaing Police Chief Steve Repkie shared tips about a Sebewaing man possibly tied to tractor thefts. Sergeant Brandon Kadar and Detective Daryl Ford developed the lead, found the missing Massey Ferguson, and traced a separate John Deere sale whose rightful owner remains unknown. The sheriff warned John Deere owners in Michigan to confirm their machines are secure and accounted for; the office believes one unit changed hands in Saginaw County’s Hemlock area. The investigation is continuing into other items seized during the warrant.
Michigan tractor theft ring case underscores the need for serial-number checks, title records, and buyer vigilance
Michigan farmers and rural buyers face growing risks when heavy or utility equipment is sold informally. The National Equipment Register (NER) advises buyers and theft victims to document serial numbers and verify equipment histories; owners reporting thefts need a police report number, and buyers can run IRONcheck history reports before closing a deal. Those steps reduce the likelihood of purchasing stolen machines and facilitate recovery in the event of theft.
Expert context: National anti-theft groups and Michigan authorities emphasize prevention and rapid reporting
While national theft patterns fluctuate, anti-theft organizations such as the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) and databases like NER recommend immediate reporting, serial-number documentation, GPS/marking tech, and secure storage to deter rural equipment theft. In Michigan, the Michigan State Police Prevention Services Section offers crime-prevention outreach and training programs that local departments can adapt for use in rural communities. These measures, experts say, shorten recovery times and help prosecutors connect cross-county cases, such as the Michigan tractor theft ring.
What Michigan buyers and farmers should do now to avoid purchasing stolen tractors or implements
Michigan authorities urge anyone who recently purchased a used John Deere or similar utility tractor from a private seller—especially this past summer—to confirm the serial numbers with local law enforcement and review their purchase records. Practical steps include keeping high-resolution photos of your equipment and the serial/VIN plates; locking sheds and trailers; using motion-activated lighting and cameras; and recording the bill of sale, seller’s ID, and payment method. Agriculture security guidance and extension materials also encourage owners to apply deterrence, detection, and delay principles—locks, lighting, and rapid reporting—to cut theft risk.
Michigan tractor theft ring investigation continues as arraigned suspect faces potential additional charges
Mr. Nunnery faces felony counts connected to the Rubicon Township theft and remains jailed on $25,000 cash bond. The sheriff said unrelated charges are likely as investigators examine recovered property, including the Roscommon utility trailer. Anyone with information is asked to call 989-269-6500 or 989-269-6421. The Michigan tractor theft ring investigation is ongoing, and authorities expect to receive more leads as buyers statewide review their recent purchases.
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Sources
(Details per the sheriff’s press statement and local reporting.)
“Sebewaing Man Charged in Multi-County Tractor Theft Ring.” Huron Daily Tribune (Michigan’s Thumb), 8 Oct. 2025, https://www.michigansthumb.com/news/article/sebewaing-tractor-theft-ring-21091301.php. Huron Daily Tribune
“Regional Investigations.” National Insurance Crime Bureau, 17 Sept. 2025, https://www.nicb.org/news/regional-news/regional-investigations. National Insurance Crime Bureau
“National Equipment Register (NER).” NER, https://www.ner.net/. National Equipment Register (NER)
“Report a Theft.” National Equipment Register (NER), https://www.ner.net/solutions/report-a-theft/. National Equipment Register (NER)
“Prevention Services.” Michigan State Police, https://www.michigan.gov/msp/divisions/grantscommunityservices/prevention-services. Michigan.gov
“Minimize Farm Security Risk.” Farm Progress, 21 May 2021, https://www.farmprogress.com/management/farm-thefts-underline-need-for-protection-planning. Farm Progress
