Indiana County man arrested after troopers find ATV buried in yard

An Indiana County man attempted to hide the theft of an all-terrain vehicle this month by burying it in his backyard, state police said.

Stephen P. McCloskey, 23, of Homer City, is charged with receiving stolen property, alteration of a vehicle identification number and theft after troopers dug up the stolen ATV.

Troopers said police received a report that the 2009 Suzuki King Quad owned by a Westmoreland County man from New Florence was stolen while parked at a residence in West Wheatfield Township.

The ATV owner told investigators that he had heard reports that “McCloskey was attempting to sell a hot ATV,” said state police spokesman Clifford Greenfield.

Later that night, Greenfield said that Trooper Logan Small received information that the ATV may have been buried in McCloskey’s backyard near freshly disturbed soil and where a backhoe was parked.

Troopers acquired a search warrant and used an excavator to dig up the vehicle, which was wrapped in plastic.

McCloskey was arraigned and released on $20,000 unsecured bond pending a preliminary hearing Aug. 12.