10 indicted in decade-long cargo theft operation, will be tried in February

Ten men have been indicted on charges of conspiracy and theft for allegedly stealing nearly $1 million in trucks, trailers and cargo in a period of more than 10 years, and their trial is set to begin Feb. 18. 

The 10 men in Kansas City, Mo., have been accused of conspiring to steal five trucks and 17 trailers between 2005 and 2011. They stole loads ranging from appliances to dog food.

The 25-count indictment includes charges against:Kenneth Ray Borders, 42, Christopher Dwight Turner, 44, Reginald Shawn Tidwell, 43, Harold Robertson, 55, Verdie Carr, Jr., 53, Ryonell Eugene Fredrick, 45, Michael O’Neal Foster, 54, and Myron Piggie, 51, all of Kansas City, Jon Dirk Dickerson, 55, of Raytown, Mo., Kyle Wayne Dickerson, 30, of Holden, Mo.

Authorities say that Borders, Foster, Tidwell and Turner would steal the equipment and the contents, and then the two Dickersons would disguise and alter the vehicles after they were stolen. 

The others charged in the case — convenience store owners — are believed to have received the cargo after it was stolen. 

Others also are believed to have used the stolen trucks later by disguising them and using fraudulent VIN numbers. 

At next month’s trial, 65 witnesses are expected to testify, and the trial is expected to last nearly a month.