Nassau County Deputies solve theft ring on west side of county

Nassau County Sheriff’s Office
Press Release
Submitted by Sheriff Bill Leeper
August 26, 2014 3:40 p.m.

Sheriff Bill Leeper announced that Nassau County Sheriff’s Office Detectives have solved and made arrests in a major theft ring on the west side of Nassau County.

Over the past several months several items have been stolen from residences in and around Bryceville, Callahan, and Hilliard. After a lengthy investigation NCSO Detectives arrested six suspects in the thefts for Grand Theft, Dealing in Stolen Property, and Burglary.

These suspects have also been involved in several crimes in and around Charlton County Georgia and NCSO is working with Georgia law enforcement authorities to clear up outstanding thefts in their area. Part of this group was also responsible for breaking in to the Nassau County School Board Bus Yard in Callahan and stealing tools and a utility truck. Some of the items stolen were pawned, some were sold and some were traded for drugs.

Those arrested are:
• Steven Dane Fletcher, 43, from Callahan
• Leroy Shane Lee, 32, from Hilliard
• Clinton Wayne Lee, Jr., 45, from Hilliard
• William Cleve Hash, 47, from Hilliard
• Melissa Rush Berkley, 32, from St. George, Georgia
• Quency Allen Kendall, 36, from St. George, Georgia

Items recovered so far:
• 1990 Toyota Pickup
• 1992 Chevrolet 1500 pickup
• 1997 Chevrolet Tahoe
• 2000 Nissan Frontier pickup
• 1997 Carolina Skiff boat and trolling motor
• 2005 Honda Fourtrax Rancher 4-wheeler
• Polaris Ranger 4-Wheeler
• Battery Charger and Chainsaw
• 6’ motorcycle trailer
• Golf Cart
• Refrigerator
• Insulation
• Piano
• Pressure Washer
• Shop Vacuum
• Poulan Riding Lawn Mower
• Ladders
• Tailgates
• Several other lawn mowers, homemade trailers, air compressors, and tools were found and believed to be stolen, but have not been reported.

The investigation is continuing and more items may be recovered and more arrests may be made.

“Many of the items that were stolen were easily assessable, left under an open carport, keys left in the ignition or doors left unlocked, so it is important to make sure your property is protected and stowed securely” Sheriff Leeper said. “It is also very important to keep a list of serial numbers or pictures of your property in the event it is stolen and recovered law enforcement can get the items back to you” Leeper added.

NCSO is offering a free citizen property inventory system for the general public powered by Leads Online. Go to www.reportit.leadsonline.com to keep a secure, online record of your valuable property. This will help law enforcement recover stolen property faster and it’s all free!

Deputies are also investigating several other recent break-ins along River Road in Callahan. No arrests have been made yet in these incidences, but detectives have received several leads. If anyone has any information on these or other crimes, please contact the Sheriff’s Office or you can remain anonymous and call Crime Stoppers at 1-866-845-TIPS (8477).