The Georgia Bureau of Investigation has issued an arrest warrant in connection with an investigation into a possible heavy-equipment theft ring in Liberty County, and several arrests are expected as the probe continues, according to a news release issued Monday.
The warrant names Willie Frank Chambliss, according to the GBI.
The release says that on June 1, the Liberty County Sheriff’s Office asked the GBI to investigate the possible theft ring.
Over the course of the investigation, several items, including construction equipment and zero-turn mowers, were recovered, the news release says.
During the initial probe, another equipment theft was discovered. On June 9, a search warrant was served at 921 Peter King Road in Riceboro, the release says.
As a result of the investigation and the search warrant, 203 push mowers were recovered, according to the GBI, which added that the abandoned shipping container was later found. The release then notes that the warrant was issued for Chambliss.
The Liberty County Assessors Office shows that the address searched is 21.57 acres, and the owner is listed as Bobby L. Adams. A property card for that address, which is on the Assessors Office’s website, shows photos dated Aug. 30, 2011, of a house and several other smaller buildings that appear to be different kinds of storage sheds.
In front of one of the sheds are what appear to be at least two riding mowers and a golf cart. Another photo shows a covered shed that is otherwise open and includes several stacks of what appear to be plywood, a window or screen and other equipment in a pile. Behind this shed is what appears to be a gray shipping container identifying a furniture company, but the name is partially obscured by the rear wall of the shed. The trailer also has a sign on it that reads “Duval Storage Trailers,” gives a hard-to-read Jacksonville, Florida, address, and a phone number with a 904 area code, which is in the Jacksonville area.
And another photo shows yet another open, covered shed with a large pile of plywood. The property record can be viewed at http://gis.libertycountyga.com/flex2/printpdf/?pin=248C003.
Anyone with information should call the GBI at 912-871-1121 or the Liberty County Sheriff’s Office at 912-876-4555.