By Suwannee County Sheriff's Office Contributor
The Suwannee County Sheriff's Office (SCSO), the Columbia County Sheriff's Office (CCSO) and the Live Oak Police Department (LOPD) have been actively investigating a criminal theft syndicate that has been stealing and selling heavy equipment across North Florida and South Georgia, specifically, mini excavators, skid steers, utility trailers and zero-turn lawnmowers.
The organization was first identified locally during an unrelated investigation and arrest by SCSO investigators. Through analytical data and follow-up investigations, SCSO and CCSO investigators were able to identify additional members of this organization that stretched all the way from Charleston, S.C., to Savannah, Ga., Suwannee and Columbia Counties.
Since the thefts occurred throughout multiple states, investigators contacted the FBI and learned they were conducting a parallel investigation into members of this syndicate and had already identified 44-year-old Robert Sanders, of Lake City, Fla., as a high-ranking member of the organization who solicited co-defendants to steal specific heavy equipment he could sell.
As the investigation progressed, two additional suspects were identified: 27-year-old Matthew Robert Yopp, of Mayo and 35-year-old Joshua James Redd, of Lake City. The pair stole numerous trailers and pieces of heavy equipment across both north Florida and south Georgia.
SCSO and CCSO investigators learned Sanders had conspired with 40-year-old Tony Darrell Richards, of Lake City, to buy the stolen equipment. Richards then used his construction business to sell the stolen equipment to unsuspecting buyers, claiming that he purchased the equipment from insurance companies.
SCSO, CCSO, and LOPD investigators have been able to locate and recover numerous pieces of heavy equipment, however, there are still many others that have not been located.
As of Wednesday, Feb. 24, Sanders was arrested by the FBI and federally indicted. Yopp was arrested and charged with burglary and three counts of grand theft. Richards was arrested and charged with two counts dealing in stolen property. Redd currently has active warrants for his arrest, however, his location is unknown.
This investigation is currently still ongoing by all agencies and more information may be forthcoming as the investigations progress, as well as the identification of additional co-defendants.
This extensive investigation is yet another example of the relentless work law enforcement officers do each and every day. The SCSO would like to thank the CCSO, LOPD and the FBI for their assistance in disrupting this criminal organization.
If anyone has any information regarding these thefts, please contact the SCSO at (386) 362-2222.