Mayor Adam Bequette of St. Mary, Missouri, Faces Accusations of Stealing Machinery from Deceased Man
The mayor of St. Mary, Missouri, Adam Bequette, has been accused of stealing an $18,000 skid steer from the property of a recently deceased man. Bequette is facing charges of tampering with a motor vehicle and theft after the Missouri State Highway Patrol alleged that he took the skid steer that rightfully belonged to the deceased man’s two adult sons.
The skid steer, a valuable piece of machinery used in various industries, including construction and farming, went missing from the deceased owner’s property in March. When the man’s sons visited the property two months later, they discovered that the skid steer was no longer there.
According to a probable cause statement obtained by PEOPLE, Bequette allegedly instructed city workers to remove the skid steer from the property, claiming it was obstructing access to city water lines. Bequette stated that he had tried to contact the deceased man’s family before having the machinery relocated, as mentioned in the court document.
However, investigation by the police revealed that there was no evidence supporting Bequette’s claims that the skid steer was blocking access or that the family had been notified about its removal. In June, the skid steer was found at a city facility and returned to the deceased owner’s family.
Bequette has not yet entered a plea, as indicated in court records. For more updates on this developing story and other crime news, sign up for PEOPLE’s free True Crime newsletter.
