News 12 at 6 o'clock, June 18, 2008

BURKE COUNTY, Ga.---Nearly half-a-million dollars worth of truck parts and copper were stolen, and some of it was found in Burke County woods. Investigators believe there may be a possible truck theft ring.

Investigators say thieves stole tractor-trailers and stripped them down for parts. They were taken from Waynesboro and Columbia County and brought to the middle of the Burke County woods to chop them up.

"I was hoping they'll find it altogether in one, but I doubt very seriously they'll find it in one piece now," said Judson Cunningham, who had his truck stolen in March.

Three other trucks were stolen from Columbia County also in March; two were found in the woods.

On Tuesday, kids found part of Cunningham's truck, as well as two of the three from Columbia County.

"We think there was a money gain here either selling the parts or putting them on a truck for their own use," said Captain Frankie Parker.

He says the thieves brought the trucks to the woods to hide them. They even had to cut down some trees to make a road to keep the trucks hidden from the highway.

"I think they felt comfortable about being back here that they had enough time to come back and finish stripping," said Parker.

All those parts they got can add up. Captain Parker say three of the trucks are worth about $120,000 each.

Investigators also found a trailer in the woods. Inside was about $30,000-worth of copper-coated wire.

Investigators think the thieves were just trying to take the truck but the copper was an added bonus.

It was Cunningham's truck that had the trailer attached, but now he and his family are left struggling.

"That's pretty rough on you, you know, I'm drawing social security but that not enough to take care of the bills I got around the house here," said Cunningham.

The thieves took away his main source of income. Now he just hopes they're caught before they can take from anyone else.

Investigators have some leads in the case, but have not named any suspects yet. They believe at least three people were involved, since three trucks were taken at the same time.