VALDOSTA – Police have arrested a man for his alleged involvement in a rental equipment theft scheme, and investigators have issued warrants for two possible accomplices.

In November, Bobby Richardson, 46, and Terry Ellis, 39, filed an incident report with the Valdosta Police Department. Richardson and Ellis had rented a forklift, trench digger and a generator from a local rental company, and Ellis reported the equipment had been stolen from his Valdosta residence, said VPD Lt. Kari Williams.

“During the investigation into the theft, it was discovered that the forklift was delivered to a house associated with Desmond Andrews, 37, in Douglas, Georgia,” Williams said. “It was also discovered that these three men have been renting equipment from several other cities in Georgia and Florida, and reporting the items stolen. To date, none of the equipment rented in Valdosta has been recovered. It appears these items were sold. The value of the equipment is valued at over $40,000.”

Investigators obtained arrest warrants for the three men in December. Ellis was charged with felony theft by conversion and false report of a crime. Richardson and Andrews were charged with felony theft by conversion, Williams said.

On Dec. 28, Richardson was arrested in Douglas, Georgia. VPD investigators are still searching for Ellis and Andrews, Williams said.

VPD is also working with several law enforcement agencies in Georgia and Florida to recover the stolen property.

Anyone with information about the incident or the whereabouts of the wanted offenders or the stolen property can contact VPD Detective Ellen Mulvaney at (229) 293-3145.