Man on federal probation arrested for stealing tractor worth over $30k

Staff report

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Fermon Green III, 44, of Hawthorne, was arrested yesterday for allegedly stealing a tractor worth $30,600.

The victim told a responding Gainesville Police Department officer that he had dropped off the Kubota tractor at his business in the 900 block of NW 13th Street on July 22, and when he returned at 7 p.m. the next day, the tractor was missing.

At 11:25 a.m. on July 29, the victim saw a yellow truck pulling a trailer, and his stolen tractor was on the trailer. The victim called law enforcement, and a traffic stop was conducted on the truck at the intersection of NW 10th Street and NW 4th Place.

The driver of the truck, who works for Green’s landscaping/tree-trimming business, said Green told him to return a stump grinder to the rental place and then pick up the tractor in Newberry; he said he noticed the victim following him while he was on his way back with the tractor. The driver denied stealing the tractor and said he didn’t know it was stolen.

The officer reported that some of the serial numbers had been removed, but a serial number was located, and Kubota records showed that the tractor on the trailer was purchased by the victim.

Before the officer had confirmed the tractor belonged to the victim, Green reportedly said he bought the tractor on Facebook Marketplace about a month ago, but he was unable to produce any Facebook messages as evidence. When the officer told Green the tractor had been confirmed as stolen, Green reportedly asked for an attorney.

The officer also noted that the yellow truck was unregistered.

Green has been charged with grand theft over $20,000. He has eight felony convictions (two violent) and has served three state prison sentences, with his most recent release in January 2024. He is currently on federal probation for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Judge Meshon Rawls set bail at $25,000.

Articles about arrests are based on reports from law enforcement agencies. The charges listed are taken from the arrest report and/or court records and are only accusations. All suspects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.