Bradley County Sheriff’s Office busts largest theft ring in this decade

The Bradley County Sheriff’s Office busted the largest theft ring they’ve seen in this decade.
    
Almost 1-hundred thefts and burglaries have been solved that happened in both Bradley and Polk counties. Sheriff Eric Watson, Sheriff of Bradley County said, "Crime doesn’t see a county line, city line or state line. If you commit a crime in Bradley county, we are coming after you." 23-year old, Coty Shane Hardman, of Cleveland has been arrested for almost 1-hundred burglaries tied to a Bradley and Polk county investigation. Sheriff Watson said, "Patrol officers with the Bradley County Sheriff’s Office responded to a theft in progress call, in which a caller provided the responding officers a description of the vehicle, as well as a tag number. Shortly there after, deputies spotted the suspected vehicle on Bell Road, stopping it on Gilliland Drive."

Hardman was identified as one of the suspects in the vehicle and was taken into custody. Sheriff Watson said, "Officers also found property in the vehicle that had been reported earlier that morning that was stolen off of Hickory Top Drive." Bradley County officers visited several locations where they say Hardman stole items including brand name power tools and equipment. Investigators were able to match the items to current burglary and theft reports. 

The Bradley County Sheriff’s Office worked alongside both the Cleveland Police Department and the Polk County Sheriff’s Office in the investigation of thefts. Sheriff Steve Ross, Sheriff of Polk County said, "We received a phone call from the Bradley county detectives in reference to the thefts, and it’s so good to be able to share information and to know that with a phone call we get good cooperation." Sheriff Watson said, "Without the residents and the people in this county helping us, a lot of cases wouldn’t be solved. And I am thankful for that citizen."

Investigators say more arrests may be made in the coming days.