Coty Shane HardmanCLEVELAND, Tenn. - Bradley County Sheriff Eric Watson announced Tuesday that nearly 100 burglary and theft cases - some dating as far back as mid-2013 - have been solved in cooperation with the Cleveland Police Department and Polk County Sheriff's Office.
"This was the largest theft/burglary ring bust in a decade," said Watson during a news conference at the Bradley County Judicial Complex.
Coty Shane Hardman, 23, of Cleveland, arrested on Oct. 19, is a key suspect in the crimes which occurred in Bradley and Polk counties, he said.
Hardman was arrested after he was stopped by Bradley County deputies following up on a theft in progress call, said Watson. He was taken into custody immediately on warrants for failure to appear in Bradley County General Sessions Court.
Reportedly stolen property, which included a Stihl backpack blower and a Husqvana gasoline hedge trimmer, were found in the vehicle.
The high-end, name-brand items were consistent with the kinds of landscaping equipment and power tools stolen in many of the other burglaries and thefts, said Watson.
A number of items have already been recovered and are being returned to their rightful owners, said Polk County Sheriff Steve Ross.
During the ensuing investigation after Hardman's arrest, the Bradley County Sheriff's Office identified nearly 100 locations where thefts and/or burglaries occurred, said Watson.
Ninety-two locations within Cleveland and Bradley County have been identified as crime scenes associated with Hardman, said Captain Steve Lawson of the Criminal Investigations Division of the Bradley County Sheriff's Office.
"There could be more, but that's where we are right now," said Lawson.
So far, 73 total charges have accumulated, with 46 of them ready to be presented to the Bradley County Grand Jury, said Lawson.
More arrests are planned for the near future, said Watson.
Paul Leach is based in Cleveland. Email him at paul.leach.press@gmail.com.