Police: Man stole items from taxidermy, crashed truck, brandished weapon

DONIPHAN, Mo. — A Doniphan man may face charges after deputies say he was caught stealing from a taxidermy shop, then brandished a rifle at an employee who followed him as he fled toward Stringtown, Missouri, in a suspected stolen truck.

About 8:35 p.m. Sunday, Larry Green called the Butler County Sheriff’s Department to report a “stealing in progress” at Cane Creek Taxidermy on Route C, according to deputy Tom Burns’ report.

Green, who lives next to the shop where he was employed, followed the suspect’s vehicle, described as a white Ford dually pickup, after recognizing materials used by the business in the bed of the truck, Burns said.

“As we were responding to the area, the communications officer continued to provide travel directions provided by Mr. Green,” Burns said.

The suspect eventually drove the truck into a ditch, where it got stuck, police said.

Green reported the driver, later identified as Bradford Shane Wheeler, “exited his vehicle and was brandishing a rifle and then started walking west on County Road 462,” Burns said.

Wheeler allegedly aimed the firearm at Green and threatened to shoot him.

Large pieces of wood and a propane cooker from the taxidermy were found in the truck.

Wheeler was booked at the Butler County Jail on Monday morning on suspicion of armed criminal action, possession of fewer than 35 grams of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, stealing and first-degree trespassing.

Deputies are seeking charges of first-degree robbery, first-degree assault, first-degree property damage, stealing, possession of fewer than 35 grams of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia from the Butler County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office.

Pertinent address:

Doniphan, Mo.