LINN — James Dale Roblow, 27, of Owensville was charged Monday in Osage County with allegations of felony property damage and misdemeanor trespassing.

According to the probable cause statement filed by the Osage County Sheriff’s Office, Sgt Richard Jarvis responded to a protected address in Osage County on Saturday, April 13, for a report of trespassing and property damage.

“I was familiar with the situation due to responding to the same address on 03/29/2024 regarding the same issue,” wrote Jarvis.

On March 29, Jarvis responded to the address regarding a complaint by the victims that they heard chainsaws and were concerned that someone was cutting trees on their property. The victims went to investigate and located a tan Chevrolet 1500 parked alongside the county road, and a male and female cutting wood on their property. To avoid confrontation, they returned to their home and called law enforcement.

By the time Jarvis arrived, the subjects had left the property. The sergeant was able to confirm ownership of the property by the victims. The victims stated that the trees taken and property damage caused was approximately $10,000.

The next day, Jarvis arrived to take pictures of the damage and was told by the victims that the subjects had left the property approximately an hour before his arrival.

The victims had reportedly confronted the subjects and the male subject, confirmed to be James Roblow, had shown them a screenshot of the property on his phone and said he had permission from a neighbor to cut the trees. Roblow admitted that it looked like the property belonged to the victims, but reiterated that he had permission from a neighbor to cut trees there. The victims advised the subjects to leave the property until they could speak with the neighbor. Roblow complied and swapped phone numbers with the victims.

The female was later identified as a 31-year-old woman from Owensville. She has not been charged.

While taking pictures, Jarvis observed approximately 30 to 50 trees that had been cut down, as well as ruts in the ground, and trees, stumps, and other pieces of wood that had been left behind.

On April 4, the victims contacted Jarvis to tell him Roblow had texted them, threatening to come get the felled trees, which he referred to as “his property.” Roblow told the victims they could not keep him from utilizing an easement on to the neighbor’s property, as well. The victims told Jarvis they were unaware of any easement.

The victims responded to Roblow’s text advising him not to come back on to the property or he would be arrested for trespassing. Roblow replied that they could not keep him from using the easement on to the neighbor’s property.

When Jarvis responded to the victims’ call on April 13, he was able to locate Roblow and the woman on the neighbor’s property, near the property line. The victims provided Jarvis with trail camera footage of the victims on their property, just prior to his arrival.

Jarvis advised Roblow and the female that they had been informed that the property in question belonged to the victims and that they would be arrested for trespassing if they returned. Roblow and the female stated that they were not on the victims’ property. Jarvis advised them that there were photos confirming that they had been, at which time Roblow stated he had been “down the road” earlier.

Roblow and the woman were booked and released pending formal charges. Charges were filed against Roblow on April 29, and a warrant was issued for his arrest. Bond is set at $10,000 cash only. No court date has been scheduled at this time.

No charges against the woman were listed on casenet at the time of this report.