COLUMBIA COUNTY, FL – Early Wednesday morning, January 7, 2026, Columbia County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to a burglary in progress at Ag Pro John Deere, located at 692 SW Arrowhead Terrace in Lake City. Security cameras showed two suspects cutting through a fence and stealing two zero-turn lawn mowers, which they loaded onto a U-Haul trailer.
Deputies were alerted to the suspects’ vehicle as it traveled near SR-47 and I-75. A felony traffic stop was conducted on the southbound I-75 on-ramp, resulting in the arrest of the two suspects: 39-year-old David J. Monk and 43-year-old Joshua A. Baity. Both zero-turn mowers were recovered and returned to the business.
Monk faces charges including burglary, grand theft of a motor vehicle, criminal mischief, possession of burglary tools, obstruction of justice, and possession of a controlled substance after he allegedly threw narcotics from the rental truck. Baity was charged with burglary, grand theft, criminal mischief, and possession of burglary tools. Both are being held without bond.
The Columbia County Sheriff’s Office praised deputies for their quick response, which led to the suspects’ apprehension and the recovery of stolen property. The investigation remains active.
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