A Village of Homer resident is accused of driving off with a $25,000 backhoe from another Homer resident’s barn.

Cortland County Sheriff’s officials say a suspicious person was reported entering the barn on Little York Crossing Road at around 8 p.m. Thursday, January 6.

40 year old Jeremy Olsen was confronted by a neighbor as he was trying to leave the property with the heavy equipment.

Deputies say when Olsen was confronted, he tried to drive the backhoe back to the barn and run off on foot.

A Sheriff’s Deputy arriving on the scene apprehended Olsen and then discovered that the North West Road resident had allegedly loaded seven Stihl chainsaws and a Husqvarna chainsaw into the bucket of the backhoe.

Authorities say they also believe Olsen tried to steal a 1985 Ford diesel truck that was parked behind the barn but got it stuck in the snow.

Investigators say, all told, Olsen is accused of trying to steal $41,200 worth of property.

He’s charged with felony burglary and attempted grand larceny.

He was sent to the Cortland County Jail without bail.

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