Alleged theft ring thwarted

Published 12:00 am Friday, May 27, 2005

The Dallas County Sheriff’s Office believes they may have broken up a theft ring after two arrests on Tuesday led to the recovery of several missing vehicles, farming equipment and tools.

Ryan Lovelady, 29, of 24 Pecan Drive, and 35-year-old Richard Lee Boozer, of County Road 17, were charged in connection to multiple thefts, including one at a Dallas County hunting club. Dallas County Sheriff Harris Huffman said Lovelady is charged with four counts of theft and two counts of third-degree burglary.

Boozer is charged with one count of receiving stolen property.

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After the arrests, Huffman said his deputies recovered three vehicles and a travel trailer reported stolen from a hunting club on Highway 22.

“My guys are also looking for a Mazda 4X4 that’s supposed to be in a ravine,” Huffman said.

Huffman said officers also recovered a John Deere tractor reported missing from Craig Field and a 16-foot utility trailer.

“We also found a pick-up truck with stolen equipment,” Huffman said.

Huffman said the suspects may also be linked to the nearly $100,000 worth of equipment reported stolen from a company on Old Montgomery Highway.

The company, located at 3131 Old Montgomery Highway, reported on Monday that 17 telephones poles, a Bush Hog mower, $4,000 worth of assorted tools and $30,000 worth of electrical and plumbing equipment was stolen from its property sometime between May 13 and May 23.

“We are looking with the Selma Police Department to see if there is a connection with this case,” Huffman said.

Huffman said that more reported thefts should be solved because of this investigation.

“We are expecting to make more arrests,” he said. “More than one person was involved in this.”