BUSTED: North Carolina Equipment Theft Ring

Several law enforcement agencies have worked to disrupt a ring charged with stealing and attempting to resell thousands of dollars worth of tractors and mowers.

As reported by WNCT-TV in Greenville, NC, several North Carolina law enforcement agencies have been working together to disrupt an elaborate lawn equipment theft ring.

“They were scooping out where they wanted to get equipment from, they’d pick it up and then create an ad with Craigslist,” says Captain Chris Russell with the Lenoir County Sheriff’s Office. “We have reason to believe that this theft ring has been going on for a year or so,” says Pitt County Sheriff Neil Elks.

Surveillance details caught the men red handed with a stolen piece of farm equipment. In all, investigators believe more than six figures worth of tractors, lawn mowers, motorcycles and other items were sold in North Carolina and in other states, primarily from farms.

Officials expect more arrests as the investigation continues. Thus far, five men have been arrested: Davis Lewis Junior, Darien Lewis, Jimmy Mendez, Victor Laboy and Marguell Gibbs.

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