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Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News) - A Texas man, described by authorities as homeless in Rochester, was arrested Friday after he allegedly tried to steal a dump truck.

Olmsted County Sheriff's Captain Scott Behrns says the incident occurred during the noon hour on Friday at a property located near the Zumbro Ridge Estates Mobile Home Park, where a man noticed a lawn tractor had been moved and was inspecting some damage to the machinery when he noticed a dump truck parked nearby was moving. The 58-year-old property owner told deputies he got on his ATV and was able to stop the dump truck and speak with the man in the driver's seat.

Captain Behrns says the property owner indicated the man, who appeared to be "under the influence of something" then jumped on a bike and rode away. The owner of the dump truck followed him in the four-wheeler in a slow-speed pursuit that ended Essex Park, where 36-year-old Mark Hardin was arrested by the responding deputies.

Olmsted County ADC
Olmsted County ADC
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Behrns says Hardin appeared agitated and was not speaking coherently when he was transported to the Olmsted County Jail, where he is being held on a felony vehicle theft charge. He says a blood sample was also taken for testing.

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