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An Atmore man was arrested on criminal mischief charges in the early morning hours of Feb. 13, according to officials.

APD Public Information Officer Sgt. Darrell McMann said in a release that Richard Wooten, 50, of Atmore, was arrested and charged with criminal mischief I, and other charges may be pending.

The arrest stems after APD officers responded to the area of Highway 31 and Florida Highway in reference to a possible traffic accident at approximately 2:20 a.m. on Feb. 13.

“During their investigation, the officers discovered the incident was not a traffic accident,” McMann said. “Wooten, who the officers suspected was under the influence of narcotics and was extremely paranoid, (allegedly) commandeered his former employer’s tractor. Wooten (allegedly) caused several thousand dollars in damage and was placed under arrest. He was transported to the Atmore Municipal Jail, pending an interview with an investigator.”

McMann said the investigator contacted the former employer, and through the interview with Wooten, he was charged with criminal mischief I.

Wooten was then transported to the Escambia County Detention Center in Brewton.