DECATUR (1080 KRLD) - A power tool theft ring is busted, and more than a dozen people are arrested.
Late last year and early this year, three hardware stores near Decatur in Wise County were burglarized, with thousands of dollars in power tools taken from each.
The burglars struck in other parts of North Texas as well.
"There were burglaries in Marshall, which is Harrison County, and Smith County, which is Tyler, as well as burglaries in Dallas and Tarrant County," says Wise County Sheriff Lane Akin.
Eventually, investigators were able to connect a group of people in East Dallas to the burglaries.
"They basically set up shop and they're selling all of this brand new equipment," says Sheriff Akin. "Most of it was skill equipment — chain saws and weed eaters, and I understand that's pretty high dollar stuff."
And soon afterward, investigators caught up to them.
"They were selling that on social media, and we were able to track that stuff and then get search warrants," Sheriff Akin says.
Earlier this week, Wise County Sheriff's deputies teamed up with Mesquite Police and DPS in raiding a warehouse where they had stored all that equipment.
In all, they seized more than $100,000 worth of stolen power tools.
The burglars' time on the run was over.
"10 people arrested, and also four more put in detention by ICE," says Sheriff Akin.
Meanwhile, work continues in returning the stolen equipment.
"We're working to get this equipment returned to the rightful owners," Sheriff Akin says. "It will be a difficult task but our guys will do their best to get it done."
(Photo credit: Wise County Sheriff’s Office)