The Haralson County Sheriff’s Office has announced the arrest of three people who were allegedly involved in the theft of construction equipment, as well as a golf cart and trailer. Investigators have also recovered four-wheelers in connection with the case, which comes after a rash of off-road vehicle thefts that have plagued the community in recent weeks.

Haralson County Sheriff Eddie Mixon said information they collected prompted what turned out to be a multi-jurisdictional investigation. The case began when investigators executed a search warrant at a residence on 151 Centerpoint Rd. in Bremen. The action came as part of a “vehicle theft investigation,” according to a report compiled by the sheriff’s office.

“Arrested at the Centerpoint location were two individuals identified as Shannon Cook, a male, age 34, and Jenny Braswell, 37 years of age,” according to the sheriff’s report. “Cook was arrested on a warrant issued by the Haralson County State Probation Office. Braswell, who also lists her address at 151 Centerpoint Rd. in Bremen, was arrested on a probation warrant issued by Carroll County,” he added.

At the scene of the arrest, investigators seized “the components of a meth lab,” before their search led to the discovery of stolen four-wheelers and other items that were in another location just a few miles away in Waco.

“The location off W.C. League Road, near Waco, was so inaccessible that Sheriff’s Office investigators requested the assistance of the Georgia State Patrol Air Wing,” Mixon said. “Following a coordinated air and ground search, investigators obtained a search warrant for 366 W.C. League Road. Assisted by agents of the Haralson-Paulding Drug Task Force, Sheriff’s investigators conducted a raid at the location and seized four-wheelers, one motorcycle, a golf cart and trailer, as well as construction supplies and survey equipment.”

Authorities arrested 33-year-old Jason Baggett for his alleged involvement with the search and recovery of the items discovered at the location in Waco. He was charged with three counts of theft by receiving and possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute, for allegedly possessing three quarters of a pound of marijuana.

He joins Cook, who also received charges of manufacture of meth after the initial home investigation in Bremen.

As the suspects await their hearings, Mixon shares his relief about putting a leash on the issue of stolen off-road vehicles throughout local neighborhoods. He also offered a few words of advice in an effort to prevent residents from falling victim to theft.

“Given the fact that many of these items are made to cross rough terrain, they can be easily hidden in a remote wooded location, often without the knowledge of the true property owner, which makes finding them even more difficult,” he explained.

He noted that it is also helpful for owners to place some sort of identification on their outdoor equipment items in addition to the serial numbers placed by manufacturers. Record keeping references, such as photographs and receipts with purchase dates, can also assist in locating items that may be stolen.

Anyone with information regarding four-wheeler thefts or any other crime are urged to call the Haralson County Sheriff’s Office at 770-646-2011.