An investigation conducted by multiple law enforcement agencies in Montgomery County into the theft of UTV’s and other machines, resulted in the arrest of two men for possession of stolen property, with additional charges pending. The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office said Monday, 29-year old Jessie Fitzwater, of Villisca, and 32-year old Kale Briner, of Grant City, MO., were arrested in connection with the incidents. Authorities say additional arrests are possible, pending the outcome of the investigation.

Fitzwater was arrested Friday evening, in Grant. Briner was arrested in Villisca Saturday evening. Officials say at around 1:43-a.m. Friday, deputies investigated in the northeast part of Montgomery County, the location of a John Deere Gator reported stolen from Adams County. When they came into contact with the machine at about 110th and V Avenue, the person operating the UTV led deputies on a short pursuit ending in a corn field. The suspect, later identified as Fitzwater, took off on foot but was apprehended without further incident, just after 7-p.m., Friday.

Additional information in the case led to the search for Kale Briner, who was already wanted on various charges out of Ringgold County, Nodaway County, MO., and Grant City, MO. He was also a suspect in numerous burglaries. Saturday evening, deputies went to Briner’s residence in Villisca. When he saw them, Briner took off on foot and disappeared. A perimeter was set up and a K-9 search conducted. The K-9 unit located Briner hiding under a tarp next to some vehicles. After initially resisting arrest, Briner was taken into custody.

Deputies made contact with the tenant of the property and discovered multiple stolen and believed to be stolen items, located in a garage. The suspected stolen items were seized and taken into evidence for identification. Sunday, the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office followed-up on information involving a golf cart stolen from Taylor County, and as a result, the cart was recovered at a  residence in Adams County, at around 12:15-a.m., Sunday.

Agencies involved in the investigation include: The Montgomery, Adams, and Taylor County Sheriff’s Offices, with assistance from deputies in Cass and Fremont Counties.