Authorities Arrest Heavy Equipment Thief

Authorities have arrested Kaleb Edmonds, 32, of St. George, S.C., and charged him in connection with the theft of $250,000 worth of heavy equipment stolen from Rebel Auction Co. of Hazlehurst.
Edmonds is charged with possession of a stolen vehicle and receiving stolen goods greater than $10,000.
Orangeburg County, S.C., Sheriff Leroy Ravenell said investigators were notified by a Florida man that he had purchased what turned out to be a stolen skid steer from a man in Orangeburg County.
The investigation led to a remote farm near Bowman, S.C., where Sheriff Ravenell said multiple items were discovered, including an excavator that was valued at $55,000.
Sheriff Ravenell said the items were taken from an auction house in Jeff Davis County where an individual presented fake checks to pay for the equipment.
“We were able to develop information that led to this recovery near Bowman this week,” the sheriff told Nester Media, Inc. “It’s extremely satisfying knowing these expensive pieces of equipment are on their way back to the rightful owners.”
More charges could be pending in the case.
Investigators say Edmonds is currently being sought for questioning by at least six agencies around the southeast.