Three Sanitation Employees Nabbed Over City Garbage Bags Theft

Starkville, MS, August 3, 2024: Three sanitation department employees were apprehended for allegedly stealing rolls of city garbage bags. The men, named Dylan Coleman, Douglas Erwin, and Stevenson Tutton Jr., now face felony embezzlement charges.

Sanitation Staff Stealing Public Resources

The routine sanitation work in the city of Starkville took an unexpected turn when three workers were charged with embezzlement. 20-year-old Dylan Coleman of Sturgis, 31-year-old Douglas Erwin, and 30-year-old Stevenson Tutton Jr., both of Starkville, were apprehended Tuesday. The allegations against them involve stealing bag rolls assigned to the sanitation department as part of the city’s annual garbage bags program for residents.

The specific extent of the theft has not been disclosed, but Sgt. Brandon Lovelady, the public information officer for the Starkville Police Department (SPD), confirmed the event occurred in July 2024. The SPD hasn’t divulged the exact count of stolen bag rolls.

Work History and Bond Details

Records indicate the employees’ work history with the sanitation department as follows: Tutton began employment in March 2023, Coleman in September 2023, and Erwin began in May 2024. Following the allegations and subsequent charge, they were all terminated as of Monday.

After the arrest, Coleman and Erwin were both released from Oktibbeha County Jail after posting bonds of $5,000 each. Tutton, however, had an outstanding warrant for a domestic violence charge, adding to his bond amount. Thus, he was released on a $7,000 bond.

Embezzlement of Public Resources

While the number of bags presumably stolen has not been made public, the misappropriation of public resources, regardless of the value, is considered a felony. The sweeping movements of public resources, such as city garbage bags, affect the city’s budget and, ultimately, the residents.

It goes without saying that such deeds undermine trust in local government and public servants. For the employees involved, their actions could bring long-term consequences, affecting their future employment prospects and potentially resulting in criminal records.

Call for Community Support

While investigations into the issue are ongoing, there’s a call for residents to lend their support to local journalism, public services, and community activities. As the community grapples with this incident and its potential ramifications, residents are encouraged to aid their local services and institutions. Only through collaborative efforts can we ensure such mishaps do not occur again.

In conclusion, the Starkville event is a reminder of the need for extensive checks and balances in public service sectors. To prevent a recurrence, cities need to invest in stringent monitoring mechanisms, improving accountability of employees and public resources. The incident serves as a stark reminder that public servants have a responsibility to serve, not expropriate public resources.