Crop damage caused by UTV near Liberty Pole

Posted September 28, 2026 in Crime

During the early morning hours of Friday, September 25, between approximately 12:30 a.m. and 4:30 a.m., a UTV (side-by-side) with a loud exhaust was reportedly observed and/or heard in the area of Tainter Hollow Road in Vernon County, operating in a disruptive and hazardous manner.

During daylight hours, landowners and farmers discovered significant crop damage to several cornfields along Tainter Hollow Road. The known area of damage extended approximately 1.6 miles along the roadway, not including the additional distance traveled within the affected fields.

It is suspected that the intentional damage originated near the intersection of State Hwy 27/82 and Tainter Hollow Road. From there, the UTV traveled southbound along Tainter Hollow Road, entering a field to the west, followed by a field to the east. The UTV then entered a private residential yard before continuing southbound and entering an additional field to the west near the intersection of Tainter Hollow Road and Monument Rock Road.

At this location, the UTV entered another private residential yard to gain access to a cornfield from Monument Rock Road before returning to Tainter Hollow Road. The UTV continued southbound on Tainter Hollow Road until it entered a private cattle feed road to the east, where it subsequently entered a sorghum field.

Lastly, the UTV continued southbound on Tainter Hollow Road and entered a grass airstrip, which resulted in a dead end. The UTV then backtracked toward Tainter Hollow Road.

The Vernon County Sheriff’s Office is seeking the public’s assistance in identifying a possible suspect and/or the UTV involved in these incidents.

Anyone who has discovered damage to their fields or property within this area is encouraged to contact the Vernon County Sheriff’s Office at (608) 637-2123 to report the incident.

Anyone who witnessed or heard suspicious activity during the relevant timeframe, or who may have information related to these incidents, is also encouraged to contact the Sheriff’s Office. You can also call Vernon Co Crime Stoppers at (608) 637-TIPS (8477). Information can also be submitted online at www.p3tips.com

Residents and property owners with surveillance or trail cameras in the area are asked to review footage from the relevant timeframe for a UTV (side-by-side) traveling through or near the area. Anyone who locates potentially relevant footage is encouraged to contact the Vernon County Sheriff’s Office.


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