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Harrison County Authorities Respond to Suspect with Stolen Tractor

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June 21st, 2024 by Jim Field

At 2:16 am Friday, June 21, Harrison County Dispatch Center received a 911 call reporting someone operating a farm tractor within the city limits of Pisgah using it to damage parked vehicles and also causing damage to playground equipment within the city park area. While Harrison County Deputies were responding, dispatch received another call reporting that the subject on the tractor was currently ramming the tractor into the garage doors at the city hall building. A local resident arrived during this time and was able to remove the key from the ignition of the tractor, disabling the tractor. The subject on the tractor then took off on foot and was apprehended by law enforcement. The subject was identified as 59 year old Craig Arnold Hardy of Moorhead. During this investigation, it was discovered that Hardy had stolen the farm tractor involved with this incident from a rural farm property located off of Laredo Avenue. This farm property is located approx. 3 miles north of the city limits of Magnolia. It is believed that Hardy then drove the stolen tractor to Pisgah and began to intentionally cause damage to multiple items and properties including motor vehicles, mailboxes, basketball poles, playground equipment, fencing, and the city hall building. The extent of damage is currently unknown, but preliminary estimated damages for the purpose of criminal charges are believed to exceed $10,000.  Based on information and evidence recovered during this investigation, Craig Hardy was arrested and transported to the Harrison County Jail Facility in Logan and charged with Criminal Mischief- 1st Degree (Felony), Theft- 2nd Degree (Felony), Assault on Law Enforcement (Misdemeanor), and Driving While License Barred (Misdemeanor).