2 Calhoun County men arrested for stealing disabled vehicles

Two men from Calhoun County, Richard Knotts Jr. and Joshua Bailey, have been arrested in connection with a theft investigation involving makeshift tow trucks. According to the Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office, the arrests occurred on Friday night while the pair was attempting to steal a disabled vehicle.

Bailey faces several charges, including possession of a stolen vehicle, trafficking in meth, grand larceny, and criminal conspiracy. Knotts has been charged with possession with intent to distribute meth, criminal conspiracy, and grand larceny of between $2,000 and $10,000. Both men have been granted bond following their arrests.

Authorities discovered that Knotts and Bailey employed a unique method to steal vehicles by using a power cable linked to the battery of their truck, connecting to another battery placed in the truck bed. This makeshift setup allowed them to illegally tow away cars.

In their operation, the tailgate of Knotts and Bailey’s truck was removed to facilitate the placement of cables beneath it. Once reinstalled, these cables were attached to a winch mounted on a trailer, enabling them to drag stolen vehicles onto the trailer with ease.

The investigation highlights the innovative but illegal techniques that some criminals may use in car thefts, prompting ongoing concerns about vehicle security in the region.