Man arrested for allegedly burglarizing Schnepf Farms two times

PHOENIX – A man suspected of stealing equipment and family heirlooms from Schnepf Farms has been arrested, authorities said Friday.

John Overson was taken into custody Thursday and faces multiple charges for two recent burglary incidents at the popular agri-tourism destination in Queen Creek, according to Sgt. Calbert Gillett of the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office.

Investigators also located a large portion of the stolen property, Gillett said in an email.

The family-owned farm offered a $1,000 reward for information leading to an arrest. It’s not known whether anybody was eligible to collect the reward.

The burglaries occurred Sunday and Monday, Gillett said.

The property stolen from the Schnepfs and other families who live on the farm included family heirloom cowboy hats, power tools and welding equipment, the MCSO said, and it was worth more than $10,000.

A missing John Deere Gator all-terrain vehicle with a trailer was recovered a few hundred yards away from the farm at Rittenhouse and Riggs roads Monday.

A Stetson hat that belonged to the grandfather of farm owner Mark Schnepf was found on the side of Riggs Road west of the venue.

Overson faces one count of theft, one count of trafficking stolen property and two counts of burglary with unlawful entry, Gillett said.

He also was charged with two counts of probation violation and one count of DUI, according to MCSO records.

Schnepf Farms is a working farm known for its pick-your-own-produce gardens and orchards. It also hosts weddings and other events.

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