Post by dawn on Aug 6, 2010 9:56:16 GMT -5
A father and son were arrested Wednesday for allegedly operating an organized theft ring "chop shop" in Graham.
Jerry and James Kellam, who are 56 and 23 respectively, are charged with 11 counts of felonious larceny. Jerry Kellam is also charged with 12 counts of possession of stolen property, and James Kellam is charged with 13 of the same. Their bonds total $135,000 each.
They're linked to thefts of commercial and domestic transport trailers and heavy motorized machinery in Alamance County, Greensboro, Chapel-Hill and Charlotte. Johnson said there has been an increase in trailer thefts across the Southeast.
The investigation into missing trailers in Alamance County began in May.
"Our investigators had realized that the number of trailers that had been stolen, just in Alamance County, and had not been recovered anywhere else, was an indication that these trailers probably was been chopped up," Johnson said.
David Harris, owner of TST Logistics, said the men stole eight of his trailers, and the impact reached beyond his company. Four of the trailers were rented by TST Logistics' customers and contained goods.
"Probably a lot of it was scrapped as well because a lot of it was machinery," Harris said.
He said the total property loss from the eight trailers and contents adds up to about $150,000. Sheriff Johnson said his deputies have confirmed the Kellams stole at least $100,000.
Deputies talked with people at local scrap metal businesses. They eventually learned the Kellams had brought in a lot of metal to one shop.
On Wednesday, investigators took to the air above the Kellams' property in a lightweight airplane. While in the plane, deputies said they witnessed the Kellams disassembling a truck axle assembly from a commercial trailer. Evidence of other similar activity was allegedly present at the scene.
"Our investigators (were) able to sneak up on the individuals as they were disassembling these trailers," Johnson said.
At the "chop shop" property, located on Lacy Holt Road in Graham, officers found a number of trailers and more than 200 tractor trailer wheels and tires believed to be from disassembled trailers. That leads investigators to believe the men stole at least two dozen trailers.
"These folks could have been selling the tires and wheels also, so we may not have a total picture of exactly just how many that is actually been stolen," Johnson said.
Investigators found registration forms for some of the trailers and a milk crate full of license plates. Johnson said that will help deputies find the owners of some of the stolen property, though it is likely long gone.
"We're extremely happy that our sheriff's department worked diligently and found the thieves. Unfortunately, by the time they found them, our stuff is being cut up," Harris said.
Detectives still have weeks of investigating to do, Johnson said. More charges are likely, he said, but would not comment on the possibility of any other suspects.
The FBI and DMV will assist deputies, Johnson said.
The county will have to pay to haul equipment away from the property, though the county will try to get it back in court, Johnson said.
Jerry and James Kellam, who are 56 and 23 respectively, are charged with 11 counts of felonious larceny. Jerry Kellam is also charged with 12 counts of possession of stolen property, and James Kellam is charged with 13 of the same. Their bonds total $135,000 each.
They're linked to thefts of commercial and domestic transport trailers and heavy motorized machinery in Alamance County, Greensboro, Chapel-Hill and Charlotte. Johnson said there has been an increase in trailer thefts across the Southeast.
The investigation into missing trailers in Alamance County began in May.
"Our investigators had realized that the number of trailers that had been stolen, just in Alamance County, and had not been recovered anywhere else, was an indication that these trailers probably was been chopped up," Johnson said.
David Harris, owner of TST Logistics, said the men stole eight of his trailers, and the impact reached beyond his company. Four of the trailers were rented by TST Logistics' customers and contained goods.
"Probably a lot of it was scrapped as well because a lot of it was machinery," Harris said.
He said the total property loss from the eight trailers and contents adds up to about $150,000. Sheriff Johnson said his deputies have confirmed the Kellams stole at least $100,000.
Deputies talked with people at local scrap metal businesses. They eventually learned the Kellams had brought in a lot of metal to one shop.
On Wednesday, investigators took to the air above the Kellams' property in a lightweight airplane. While in the plane, deputies said they witnessed the Kellams disassembling a truck axle assembly from a commercial trailer. Evidence of other similar activity was allegedly present at the scene.
"Our investigators (were) able to sneak up on the individuals as they were disassembling these trailers," Johnson said.
At the "chop shop" property, located on Lacy Holt Road in Graham, officers found a number of trailers and more than 200 tractor trailer wheels and tires believed to be from disassembled trailers. That leads investigators to believe the men stole at least two dozen trailers.
"These folks could have been selling the tires and wheels also, so we may not have a total picture of exactly just how many that is actually been stolen," Johnson said.
Investigators found registration forms for some of the trailers and a milk crate full of license plates. Johnson said that will help deputies find the owners of some of the stolen property, though it is likely long gone.
"We're extremely happy that our sheriff's department worked diligently and found the thieves. Unfortunately, by the time they found them, our stuff is being cut up," Harris said.
Detectives still have weeks of investigating to do, Johnson said. More charges are likely, he said, but would not comment on the possibility of any other suspects.
The FBI and DMV will assist deputies, Johnson said.
The county will have to pay to haul equipment away from the property, though the county will try to get it back in court, Johnson said.
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