A hay cutting swather is damaged by thieves.

The Saline County Sheriff’s Office is investigating after a Case swather was damaged last week.

Owner Brent Laas of Brookville told deputies on Friday he had left his machine in the 600 block of Reese and was cutting hay in the area of Fairchilds Road and Cloud when he discovered that someone had loosened the lugs on a wheel, causing damage to both a hub and rim of the swather.

A tool socket set worth $300 was also stolen.

Total repair costs is estimated at $2,500.