(Greenfield, Iowa) – Adair County Sheriff Jeff Vandewater reports a man from Greenfield was arrested following an incident that took place Friday morning. The Sheriff says at 8:42 a.m., Friday, the Adair County Sheriff’s Office received a cellular 911 call from an individual who stated that his white 2011 Chevrolet pickup had just been stolen from the Casey’s General Store in Fontanelle. The Fontanelle Police Department and the Adair County Sheriff’s Office responded, gathered the available information and relayed that information to assisting agencies. Of particular concern, was that a loaded handgun was inside of the pickup at the time of the theft.

At 9:35 a.m., an Adair County deputy observed the vehicle traveling west on 310 th Street from the Orient curve. The deputy activated his emergency lights and a short pursuit ensued, before the suspect pulled over. The suspect immediately put his hands outside of the window and fully complied throughout the duration of his arrest. The suspect was identified as 19 year old Xachariah Hinson, of Greenfield. Hinson was charged with: Theft in the first Degree, Felon in Possession of a Firearm, Criminal Mischief in the Third Degree, and Eluding. He was being held in the Adair County Jail on a $20,000 cash or surety bond.

The Adair County Sheriff would like to remind the public to be conscious of the fact that incidents like this can happen in a matter of just seconds and that they do happen in small towns and in the rural areas. Additionally, there have been many recent advancements in various methods to secure firearms in vehicles.

Multiple agencies assisted in searching for the stolen vehicle, including: the IowaState Patrol, Motor Vehicle Enforcement Division of the Iowa DOT, the Adair Police Department and the Adams, Cass and Montgomery County Sheriff’s Offices.

Disclaimer: “It should be noted a criminal charge is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.”