From Staff Reports

Over the last several weeks, the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office and surrounding municipalities received numerous reports of utility trailers being stolen throughout the county, particularly around the U.S. 280 corridor.

On Friday, April 17, the Shelby County Drug Enforcement Task Force and Shelby County Sheriff’s Office investigators arrested three suspects in connection to the recent utility trailer thefts.

Sheriff’s Office investigators continue to investigate additional leads, and have notified several surrounding agencies that have had utility trailers stolen. It is estimated that these three suspects have stolen over 30 trailers in the past three weeks.

Any agency that has reports of utility trailers stolen is encouraged to call the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division at 669-4181.

Staci Elaine Brownlee, 34, of Simpsonville, S.C., was charged with receiving second-degree stolen property. She is being held in the Shelby County Jail on a $10,000 bond.

Matthew Ray Harrell, 31, of Statesboro, Ga, was charged with six counts of second-degree theft of property. He is being held in the Shelby County Jail on a $60,000 bond.

John Allen Barnett, 35, of McCalla was charged with six counts of second-degree theft of property and possession of burglar’s tools. He is being held in the Shelby County Jail on a $70,000 bond.

The SCDETF consists of law enforcement officers from the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office, the Alabaster Police Department, the Helena Police Department, the Pelham Police Department and the Shelby County District Attorney’s Office. The SCDETF is funded by the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs and the Shelby County Commission.

The SCDETF encourages citizens to report illegal activity by phone at 670-0436 or by visiting its website, Dtf.shelbyal.com. Citizens may click on “Tips” and submit their complaints. All information is anonymous.

Please direct any questions regarding this press release to Captain Kevin Turner of the Shelby County Drug Enforcement Task Force, at 670-0436 or email at kturner@shelbyso.com.