A truck stolen from a Clarkesville resident as part of an online scam has been recovered after a coordinated effort involving Clarkesville’s Police Department and other law enforcement agencies across the southeastern U.S.
The incident began in January when a local resident attempted to sell a $40,000 truck online. According to Clarkesville Police Chief Danny Clouatre, the buyer misrepresented their identity, leading to the theft.
“Somebody contacted (the seller) online, then had someone else pick the truck up for them,” Clouatre said. “That’s what they led the seller to believe. The money was put into an account, and the seller verified that, but once the vehicle was picked up, the money was taken out of the account real quick.”
Initially, the seller arranged to meet the buyer on January 16 at the Clarkesville Police Department. But the buyer – who had allegedly stolen the identity of someone from a nearby county – refused to meet at the department and instead requested a meetup at a local Walgreens, citing the need to pick up medication. Shortly after that exchange, the truck was taken.
Authorities tracked the vehicle using Flock camera pings, tracing its path until it vanished near Birmingham, Alabama.
Eventually, the stolen truck was found in Oktibbeha County, Mississippi. Law enforcement there discovered it as part of a broader investigation into a multi-state racketeering operation. Several individuals are now facing federal charges for similar crimes committed across the country.
“We were contacted by the department there, because they were looking into other thefts,” Clouatre said. “It was actually part of a racketeering situation…it’s going to be part of a much bigger case.”
Clouatre noted that while this is the first scam involving such a high dollar amount in Clarkesville, similar frauds are becoming more common nationwide.
“Know the person you’re (selling) to,” he said. “If you feel like it’s kind of suspicious, you’re not forced to make that transaction…we don’t mind running a VIN number, or if you’re doing a gun transaction, we don’t mind running a serial number on that. We’re here to keep people from being a victim. I would rather prevent a crime than have to investigate one after it happens.”
Police say the case is now being prosecuted at the federal level.
“It’s really great how a small agency like ours can work with agencies across the country to deliver justice and recover stolen property,” Assistant Police Chief Ryan Ledford said.
Clouatre urges residents who are planning to make online sales or purchases to contact the Clarkesville Police Department in advance. The department can assist in verifying details and providing a safe location for transactions, including the area in front of the police station, which is monitored by security cameras.
