2 Minnesota men arrested after generator, trailer stolen from Clay County field

MOORHEAD — Two men were arrested after reportedly stealing a trailer and generator in Clay County.

According to the Clay County Sheriff’s Office, the machinery was reported stolen around 8:22 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 8, near 90th Avenue and 170th Street North, about 13 miles northwest of Hawley. Upon arrival, deputies learned the generator was on a trailer and was being used to operate an irrigation system. The equipment was worth about $45,000.

A deputy saw a vehicle leaving the area and stopped to speak with the driver, who said they were in the area to try to pull out some friends who were stuck. While searching for the vehicle and other people, the stolen generator was found abandoned in a slough with the vehicle nearby, the Sheriff’s Office said in a release.

After setting up a search perimeter, deputies found Jason Austin, 37, of Pelican Rapids, walking along a gravel road. Austin was arrested and booked into the Clay County Correctional Center for felony theft and misdemeanor trespassing.

Later that evening, a Minnesota state trooper was patrolling the area of Highway 9 and 90th Avenue North and saw a man walking along the road. The trooper noted the man was sweating profusely, dirty and not carrying any personal items. The trooper identified him as the potential second suspect and arrested Joshua Moen, 44, of Crosby.

Moen was also booked into the Clay County Correctional Center for charges of felony theft and misdemeanor trespassing.

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