By West Kentucky Star staff
Jan. 11, 2023 | 06:25 PM
| MAYFIELD
Kentucky State Police Post 1, Mayfield, December 19 received a call from the owner of an equipment rental business in Mayfield, reporting the theft of a skid steer.
That owner told KSP he had rented a skid steer to an individual December 12, with an agreed-upon return date of December 19. On that agreed-upon return date, the business owner contacted the individual, asking when he would return the equipment. The suspect reportedly claimed the skid steer had been stolen from a Paducah address the previous night. However, KSP said GPS tracking indicates that the skid steer had been transported to Blytheville, Ark. December 13.
The skid steer subsequently was recovered from Blytheville, where law enforcement officials believe the suspect who had rented it then sold it.
That suspect reportedly provided false out-of-state identification to the business in Mayfield. Under those allegedly false pretenses, the suspect rented the skid steer.
The false name he allegedly gave was Mark Afanasev. Although that is determined to be a false identity, law enforcement authorities believe the photo used on the false identification actually pictures the suspect.
The suspect last was seen operating an approximately 2014-2018 year model dark green Chevrolet Silverado four-door pickup truck. Anyone with information about him should contact KSP Post 1 by phoning (270) 856-3721. Trooper Rice continues the ongoing investigation.
