 |
|
|
|
 |
 |
Jefferson County Trucks Stolen; Other Vehicles Vandalized
The stolen trucks bore Jefferson County's nickel logo, seen on nearly all county vehicles.
Stay on top of breaking news!
Sign up for ABC 33/40 News e-mail alerts.
Sign up for ABC 33/40 News e-mail alerts.
"It's very discouraging," said Facilities Manager James McKinnon. "Maybe our economy can get back to where people can get back to work. This is all of our money. I pay taxes; you do. It's our money."
The theft was discovered late Sunday night. McKinnon said the thieves broke into several trucks and vans and stole tools and Freon used by the county's air conditioning technicians, electricians, plumbers, welders, and other workers.
The thieves then drove away in three of the county's trucks, each of which were marked with the county's "nickel" logo and individual vehicle numbers.
Lieutenant Randy Christian of the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office said one of the trucks, a 2007 Ford F-150, was recovered Monday in Cahaba Heights. Inside the truck, authorities found keys to one of the other two stolen vehicles; however, those vehicles were not found.
The vehicles still missing include a Ford F-350 crew-cab flatbed truck and a Chevrolet 1500 pickup truck, McKinnon said.
The county logo and identification numbers had been peeled off the truck that was recovered in Cahaba Heights, and it was unknown whether the other two trucks were still marked, Christian said. He added that members of the public might recognize the missing trucks by seeing "ghost" symbols of the county's nickel logo on the sides of the trucks if the thieves had taken the logos off of those vehicles as well.
"You know, these guys are kind of picking on the wrong people," Christian said. "We'll work pretty hard to find out who did that, get them in jail, and get that equipment back for the taxpayers. That belongs to the people of Jefferson County."
Anyone who can point detectives in the right direction can contact Crime Stoppers at (205) 254-7777. A cash reward is offered for the first tip that leads to an arrest, and callers will never have to give their names.
read more stories in Crimestoppers
Latest Comments on "Jefferson County Trucks Stolen; Other Vehicles Vandalized"
posted by: Phurface on 9:12 am on 12/02/09
Oh, those trucks weren't stolen. They were appropriated by Sheila Smut for additional security around her home. This was in direct response to the Stooge-mission cutting the budget for Mike Hale and his cutting out her personal guards.
ABC 33/40 Talkback - Story Comments
Not a member yet? Click Here to sign up.
Please leave your comments below:
Messages that harass, abuse or threaten other members; have obscene or otherwise objectionable content; have spam, commercial or
advertising content or inappropriate links may be removed and may result in the loss of your posting privileges. Please do not post any
private information unless you want it to be available publicly. Never assume that you are completely anonymous and cannot be identified by your posts.
More News and Videos
© 2009 TV Alabama, Inc.
The Associated Press may have contributed to this article.
All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
ABC 33/40 News to leave comments on news stories.