Multiple Arrests Made in Thievery Case, LIVINGSTON, July 2, 2025 - On June 24th 2025 a burglary and unauthorized use of a motor vehicle was reported to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office.
While Deputies were conducting the initial investigation multiple items were reported as stolen including a pickup truck, a utility trailer, and various tools. Later, a follow up with the victim was conducted where a firearm was added to the list of stolen property. The truck was entered into the state and national database as stolen.
The next day (June 25) the stolen vehicle was located and recovered. The driver, identified as James Tidwell was arrested for unauthorized use of a motor vehicle with an addition to an active felony warrant out of state. The passenger, identified as Heather Hartless, was taken into custody for possession of a controlled substance.
Deputies alerted Detectives of an arrest on the day prior of an individual identified as Andrew Key that was in possession of items matching the property from the burglary. A search warrant was obtained and executed of his vehicle that was attached to a trailer with a riding mower and various tools. During the search warrant all items on the trailer and the trailer itself were properly identified as the victims from the burglary.
A search warrant was obtained and executed at a residence where the remaining victim’s property were identified and collected.
Further investigation showed that an additional individual identified as Matthew Mars was also involved in the criminal activity with Tidwell and Key.
The following arrests were made in this case:
James Benjamin Tidwell, 42, of Livingston: -Engaging in organized criminal activity (Felony 1) -Theft of property >=$2,500<$30K (Felony 2) -Possession of a controlled substance (Felony 2) -Unauthorized use of a motor vehicle (State Jail Felony)
Heather Lee Hartless, 37, of Livingston: -Possession of a controlled substance PG 1/1B >4G<200G (Felony 2) -Theft of property >=$2,500<$30K (Felony 2) -Possession of a controlled substance POSS CS PG 1/1-B>=1G<4G (Felony 3)
Andrew Michael Key, 35, of Livingston: -Theft of property >=$2,500<$30K (Felony 2) -Unlawful possession of a firearm by felon (Felony 3)
Matthew Earl Mars, 27, of Livingston: -Engaging in organized criminal activity (Felony 1) -Burglary of a habitation (Felony 2) -Burglary of a building (State Jail Felony)
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