From the Howell County Sheriff’s Department:
On September 4, 2025, at approximately 8:56 a.m. Howell County Deputy Brandon Barnes responded to a call for service regarding a theft in progress at a residence on County Road 8240 in West Plains, Missouri.
Upon arrival, Deputy Barnes made contact with the property owner, a 55-year-old female, who reported that a tenant, 47-year-old Angela Fairbanks had attempted to steal a tractor from the property. The victim and multiple witnesses stated that during the confrontation, Fairbanks raised a shovel above her head in a threatening manner, causing the woman and others to fear that she was about to be struck.
Deputy Barnes spoke with multiple witnesses who confirmed that Fairbanks had taken the tractor, driven it until it became stuck, and then engaged in a verbal altercation with the female victim. Witnesses further corroborated that Fairbanks raised the shovel in a threatening manner during the dispute.
Fairbanks was located at her residence on the property. After initially refusing to cooperate, she was taken into custody without incident. She was transported to the Howell County Jail, where she was placed on a 24-hour hold pending formal charges and was subsequently charged with Unlawful use of a Weapon- Subsection 4- Exhibiting a class E Felony. Her Bond was set at $5000.00
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