Neb. man allegedly stole $17,000 worth of soybeans in Geddes

GEDDES — A Nebraska man was arrested Thursday for allegedly stealing nearly $17,000 worth of soybeans from the Farmers Co-op Elevator in Geddes.

Jeff Eckert, 54, of Pilger, Neb., is charged with one count of grand theft for allegedly stealing 1,175 bushels of soybeans worth $16,941.41, according to a release issued Thursday by the Charles Mix County Sheriff’s Office.

At approximately 4:30 a.m., a Geddes resident observed a semi with a trailer loading grain at the elevator and reported it to authorities. A Charles Mix County Deputy stopped the semi eight miles from Geddes, the release says.

Eckert, who was later identified as the driver, was not able to produce the proper paperwork for the grain loaded in the semi and was placed under arrest, the release says.

Grand theft is a felony with a maximum punishment of 10 years in prison and a $20,000 fine.

Eckert is scheduled to be in court later this month.

“This theft was squashed by a citizen that saw something suspicious and reported it,” said Charles Mix County Sheriff Randy Thaler in the release. “…This is an example of why it is important for suspicious or out of the ordinary activity to be reported to law enforcement.”

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