CHURCHILL
By JB Clark
Daily Journal
TUPELO – The Mooreville man charged for a heavy equipment theft operation in Alabama, Tennessee and Lee County was arraigned in Lee County Justice Court on Thursday.
Bond for James Churchill, 29, was set at $150,000 for multiple charges of receiving stolen property. Even if Churchill makes bond, at least five agencies in Alabama and Tennessee have holds on him, meaning he would most likely be moved to another agency’s detention facility.
Lee County Sheriff Jim Johnson said they have recovered more than $400,000 in property Churchill allegedly stole and either repurposed or sold under Churchill Equipment Company. Churchill is the only one charged and the only suspect in the string of thefts.
Deputies are still searching for stolen equipment sold by Churchill in the Lee County area and ask anyone who has purchased equipment from Churchill to contact the Lee County Sheriff’s Office at (662) 841-9040.
Johnson said they hope to pursue restitution through court so that anyone who purchased stolen equipment unknowingly can be reimbursed.
The stolen equipment includes lawnmowers, heavy tractors, pressure washers and trailers.
jb.clark@journalinc.com
