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Stolen Rhino

Monday, 31 August 2009

On August 4, 2009, Echols County Sheriff's Office deputies responded to a Hwy 376 packing shed in reference to a burglary that had previously occurred.  Items reported missing included a Yamaha Rhino all terrain vehicle valued at $10,300.00, cucumber seeds valued in excess of $400.00, forklift parts, including lights and a battery, and 6 boxes of skeets.  Sheriff Randy Courson and deputies found footprints at the scene, which were photographed, and a blood sample was taken from the forklift where the parts had been removed. A few hours later, in a separate incident, a four-wheeler was reported stolen from 230 Jean Circle.  Deputies responded to the scene and located a juvenile who was in possession of the stolen four-wheeler.  Several other items including tools and a winch were also taken from the Jean Circle residence.  Due to the proximity and similarity of the two burglaries, Sheriff Courson questioned the juvenile, and noticed the juvenile’s shoes matched the prints from the packing shed burglary scene.  The shoes were taken into evidence, and the juvenile admitted to the thefts and showed the Sheriff where many of the stolen items had been stored.   Further investigation revealed that there was another juvenile present at the burglary of the packing shed who also retained some of the stolen items.  All of the stolen items have been recovered except the Yamaha Rhino.  The items were photographed and returned to their owners.   Sheriff Courson later discovered that the same juveniles, along with a third juvenile, were responsible for a previous incident in which a tractor was stolen on Rader Road.  The tractor sustained approximately $3,000.00 in damages during the theft, and was later returned to scene. The juveniles were charged, taken into custody and detained at the Regional Youth Detention Center in Thomasville until a hearing could be scheduled.  Charges on the juveniles range from criminal trespass to theft by taking, burglary and criminal damage to property.   Citizens are asked to keep a look out for the Yamaha Rhino, described as camouflaged (mossy oak), with a bent front brush guard and a flat front tire, possibly discarded on a hunting club in Echols County.  If you have any information, please contact the Echols County Sheriff's Office.

Last Updated ( Monday, 31 August 2009 )

 

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