Backhoe Stolen From Oklahoma Highway Project Recovered In Kansas

The Oklahoma Department of Transportation says an anonymous tip led to the recovery of a stolen Caterpillar backhoe near Topeka, Kansas earlier this month.

The backhoe had been missing since it was stolen from a highway work site west of Tecumseh in Pottawatomie County on July 28. 

“ODOT is certainly pleased to see this piece of equipment recovered and put back into service on our highways,” Division Three Engineer Kevin Bloss said.

“We want to thank the public for their assistance in locating the backhoe and the sheriff’s offices in Pottawatomie and McClain counties here in Oklahoma and the Morris County Sheriff’s Office in Kansas for their hard work.” 

ODOT says because of its trip from Oklahoma to Kansas, the backhoe was given the nickname "Dorothy.”  It has been returned to Oklahoma.

Authorities in Oklahoma and Kansas say no one has been arrested.