Jefferson Co. Authorities Taking Down Boat Motor Theft Ring
By: KARK 4 News
Updated: August 31, 2012
The Jefferson County Sheriff's Office has arrested two people suspected to be involved in a major theft ring targeting boat motors.
The investigation began after investigators received an increase in the amount of reports referencing stolen boat motors from owners within Jefferson County during the last two to three months.
Investigators were led to two males who were trying to sell three boat motors at an area business, and it was soon determined that those motors were stolen.
Joshua Schmall (pictured left), 23, and 24-year-old Nicklaus Sears (right), both of Jefferson County, were arrested at the business without incident.
Sheriff's investigators were able to recover 33 boat motors believed to be stolen across five additional Arkansas counties, with an estimated value of over $80,000.
The other counties include Arkansas, Pulaski, Monroe, Cleburne and Lonoke.
Investigators are currently working with other law enforcement agencies within those jurisdictions to verify and return property back to its rightful owner.
Other arrests are imminent through the continuance of this investigation, according to Jefferson County officials.
For information on how victims of the related theft or members of law enforcement whose agency has theft reports linked to the recovery of various boats motors recovered by the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office, please contact Captain John McNeil at our Criminal Investigation Division at (870) 541-5496.
The investigation began after investigators received an increase in the amount of reports referencing stolen boat motors from owners within Jefferson County during the last two to three months.
Investigators were led to two males who were trying to sell three boat motors at an area business, and it was soon determined that those motors were stolen.
Joshua Schmall (pictured left), 23, and 24-year-old Nicklaus Sears (right), both of Jefferson County, were arrested at the business without incident.
Sheriff's investigators were able to recover 33 boat motors believed to be stolen across five additional Arkansas counties, with an estimated value of over $80,000.
The other counties include Arkansas, Pulaski, Monroe, Cleburne and Lonoke.
Investigators are currently working with other law enforcement agencies within those jurisdictions to verify and return property back to its rightful owner.
Other arrests are imminent through the continuance of this investigation, according to Jefferson County officials.
For information on how victims of the related theft or members of law enforcement whose agency has theft reports linked to the recovery of various boats motors recovered by the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office, please contact Captain John McNeil at our Criminal Investigation Division at (870) 541-5496.
Comments
Each one of the owners of the motors that were stolen should be allowed 5 minutes alone with each one of these fine upstanding citizens.
William S.
August 30, 2012 at 4:25 pm
