A major theft ring targeting boat motors in six Arkansas counties has been broken up by Jefferson County Sheriff’s investigators with the arrest of two men Monday.
Sheriff’s Dept. Operations Commander Major Lafayette Woods Jr., said investigators located and recovered 33 boat motors with an estimated value of $80,000. The motors were various sizes, makes and models.
In addition to Jefferson County, thefts were reported in Arkansas, Pulaski, Cleburne and Lonoke counties, and Woods said Jefferson County investigators are working with law enforcement agencies in those counties to verify and return the stolen property to the rightful owners.
Woods said the investigation began when deputies started seeing an increase in the number of reports they received of boat motors being stolen over the past two to three months.
The investigation led to Joshua Schmall, 23, and Nicklas Sears, 24, who were arrested when they allegedly tried to sell three boat motors to a business on Dollarway Road.
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
Investigator Mickey Buffkin reported that deputies obtained the serial numbers of the boat motors Schmall and Sears were attempting to sell and confirmed that they had been stolen.
After a court hearing Wednesday, a $50,000 bond was set for Schmall and Sears on charges of three counts of theft by receiving, and Woods said Thursday “other arrests are imminent through the continuance of this investigation.”
Schmall is on probation after pleading guilty to theft by receiving charges in April.
The Public Defender’s Office was appointed to represent Schmall and Sears and they were told to come back to court Oct. 10.
For information on how victims of the related thefts or members of law enforcement whose agency has theft reports linked to the recovery of the boat motors by Jefferson County, contact Capt. John McNeil of the Criminal Investigation at 541-5496.