Robert David Taylor is now behind bars.

54 year old Taylor, a resident of Ashville, was wanted on a 1st Degree Theft of Property Warrant in Cherokee County in connection with the theft of equipment from the Tractor Place in Centre – he also has warrants in other jurisdictions.

Taylor was taken into custody by U.S. Marshal’s around 1:00am Wednesday, after being tracked to a small camper at a site on the river between Pell City and Lincoln.

He surrendered without incident; a subsequent search of the camper turned up two AR15 rifles – a shotgun – and a Glock.

Detective Jeff Bryant with the Centre Police Department investigated the case locally and he also worked closely Agent Craig Pruitt of the U.S. Marshal’s Service, once they came on board.

Surveillance video was posted on Facebook and the WEIS Radio website showing an individual stealing two Cub Cadet Zero-Turn Lawnmowers from the Tractor Place on the Bypass on August 18th.  On August 26th, Detective Bryant was notified that a Cub Cadet riding mower stolen from the same business back in April had been recovered in St. Clair County.

Meanwhile, concerned citizens were calling the St. Clair County Sheriff’s Office saying that they had heard about the arrest and had made purchases from Taylor and when detectives checked the equipment it was confirmed that it was stolen.

Some of the items included utility trailers and riding mowers – including the one stolen from the Tractor Place in April.

Taylor was being held in connection with the theft of a skid loader in Montgomery.  He made the $60,000 bond there – and promptly disappeared.

He is currently being held in the St. Clair County Jail.