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Estes charged with more vending machine thefts
Estes w sm
ESTES
Alton David Estes of Watertown, the man recently charged with the theft of three air-vending machines by the sheriff’s department, is now accused of illegally taking three more machines in the Smithville city limits.The sheriff’s department recently arrested Estes, 46, on charges that he took three of the same type machines, one from Shiney Rock Market and one from Liberty Citgo on July 1, and one September 9, 2013 at Hillcrest Market on Sept 9.Smithville Police now report that Estes has been charged with three counts of theft over $1,000 in connection with three more coin-operated air-vending machines reportedly taken from the parking lots of a local BP Station on April 13 and Sept. 14, and at Jewel's Market on Aug. 25.He allegedly took the machines, valued at more than $1,000 each, by breaking loose the bolts they were secured with. His bond was set at $15,000.Meanwhile, two employees at the Smithville Walmart face theft of property charges. According to city police, Josie Culwell was charged after police were dispatched to the store to investigate a report that an employee had stolen items from the business.