A Thief River Falls man was charged with taking a tractor without paying.
Curtis Wayne Anderson, 52, was charged May 1 in Wadena County District Court with with theft by swindle and receiving stolen property. According to court documents, Wadena County authorities received information from the Norman County sheriff about a stolen tractor earlier this year. Investigators believe Anderson entered into a verbal agreement to buy the John Deere 4520 tractor with attachments for $11,000. Anderson allegedly took the tractor that day and promised to return the next day with the money, but never did. Anderson then allegedly traded in the tractor to a Wadena County equipment dealer, which turned around and sold it for $12,000.
The defendant admitted he still owed the money to the original owner, court documents said. A first appearance was set for June 1.
