A father and son duo turned themselves in last week for the theft of a game camera that was reported missing from County Road 2040 (Dogtown Road) in Delta County.
Game Wardens sought public input through media outlets in their search for the camera which was still transmitting live camera images to a cell phone.
“We asked the public to help identify the person in the photos,” said Game Warden Chris Fried, after they discovered crime. He said he was pleased to recover one of the cameras as theft for these cameras seems to be increasing. Five cameras have gone missing this year.
With a description of one of the photos of a woman wearing glasses who appears to be eating at a table with floral curtains in the background and a tip, Game Warden Fried was able to obtain an arrest warrant for the suspects. This game camera was valued at $499.99. After locating the residence law enforcement were quickly able to identify the residence from the photos.
James Turner Jr. of Commerce and his son Jonathan Turner of Celeste were charged with a Class B misdemeanor with a maximum sentence of $2,000 or a year in jail. The Turners were brought into the Delta County Jail and later arraigned.
“The father admitted taking the camera but neither of them acted surprised,” added Game Warden Fried. He encourages the public to report any suspicious activity to authorities.