Multiple side-by-side vehicles stolen

Jessi Flowers, The Moultrie Observer, Ga.
·2 min read

Mar. 25—MOULTRIE — Seeing an increase in the theft of Polaris Ranger side-by-side vehicles, the Colquitt County Sheriff's Office is urging residents to be on the safe side with the storage of their equipment.

"The main solution is to be more vigilant," said Investigator Micheal Morris with the CCSO. "Make sure to not leave the keys in the unit and lock it up when it's not being used."

If a side-by-side gets stolen, chances are the owner won't see it again.

"It's very challenging to recover stolen side-by-sides," said Morris. "They aren't registered vehicles so all you have to go off of is the serial number."

Not to mention it's easier to hide a side-by-side than one might think.

"People will usually put them in a garage or shed on their property," said Morris. "And because they aren't street vehicles and are used primarily on personal property we never see them again."

Though Colquitt County has seen an increase in local side-by-side thefts, it's not a local issue.

"Stealing is a big business," said Morris. "And side-by-sides bring in a lot of money."

Just last Thursday, a Colquitt County resident drove to Troy, Alabama, stole a Polaris Ranger XP and transported it back to Moultrie.

Because the theft occurred in Alabama, that state's authorities will be the primary prosecutors in this case.

However, since the 52-year-old left the state the crimes occurred, the CCSO is able to charge him with fugitive from justice, and they are currently holding the accused until Alabama authorities arrive to transport him back to Troy.

"He got caught trying to trade the stolen side-by-side for another stolen side-by-side," said Morris.

During the investigation, it has been uncovered that this particular individual has been stealing side-by-sides from multiple counties in Georgia, including Mitchell, Worth and Dougherty.

It is unknown if any other counties in Alabama beside Pike, where Troy is located, have been targeted by this individual.

"He is currently awaiting extradition," said Morris. "He will be getting charges from each county that he committed crimes in."