Merced police say he stole more than $30,000 in lawn care equipment

A 38-year-old Merced man was arrested this week after police said he stole more than $30,000 in lawn-care equipment from an area business.

The name of the business was not released Friday.

Police were called early on the morning of Aug. 6 to a business on Grogan Avenue in South Merced to investigate the disappearance of a truck and trailer, two riding lawn mowers, and other equipment, police said in a news release.

Detective John Pinnegar later identified David Anthony Allen as the prime suspect in the theft. Allen was arrested Wednesday. Police said Allen “refused” to say where the lawn equipment had been taken. However, investigators eventually tracked down the equipment, which they said was found in Chowchilla.

The property, valued at more than $30,000, was returned to the business owner.

Allen was arrested earlier this year on suspicion of identity theft and car theft, police said. Jail records show Allen has been arrested multiple times since at least 2016 in Merced County on allegations on drug, theft and DUI-related allegations.

He remained in custody Friday without bail at the John Latorraca Correctional Center in Merced County. He is scheduled to appear in court Monday.