Edward Jerome Rolfes, Jr., of Hermann was charged March 12 with allegations of the class A misdemeanor stealing.

According to the probable cause statement by the Gasconade County Sheriff’s Office (GCSO), a report was made on Sept. 2, 2025, that an orange Stihl MS251 chainsaw had been stolen and later located at a pawn shop in Washington where it was positively identified by serial number. The pawn shop employee reportedly advised GCSO that the chainsaw was pawned by another person but that Rolfes was present.

GCSO reports contacting Rolfes at his residence Sept. 20. The officer stated that Rolfes originally denied involvement and then admitted to selling the chainsaw, reporting that Rolfes stated another individual mistakenly picked up the chainsaw and that he pawned it for money using another person’s identification since he did not have his own.

The chainsaw was recovered and returned to the property owner who requested prosecution for the theft.

A criminal summons was issued with an initial appearance scheduled for Wednesday, April 8, at 9 a.m. in Gasconade County Division IV courtroom with Associate Circuit Judge Ada Brehe-Krueger presiding.