MARION COUNTY, SC (WMBF) The Marion County Sheriff's Office is asking for the public's help in locating a man wanted in connection to the theft of several large pieces of equipment.
Sheriff Mark Richardson, spokesman for the Marion County Sheriff's Office, said five pieces of equipment were located and recovered by investigators, valued around $100,000.
Among the equipment were a John Deere mini-excavator, two John Deere tractors, a Pace enclosed trailer and a black 28' trailer, all reportedly stolen from Orangeburg County and Lexington County.
Since its recovery, all equipment has been returned to its rightful owners, according to Richardson.
Richardson said Phillip Barry McDaniels, 57, of Marion is actively being sought in connection to the theft. He is wanted on charges of receiving stolen goods greater than $1,000 less than $5,000 and possession of a stolen vehicle valued $5,000 or more.
Additionally, the National Insurance Crime Bureau has awarded two investigators at the sheriff's office, James Lee and Neil Rouse for their work in recovering the equipment. This is the second large equipment theft the pair has solved, said Richardson. In 2007, they recovered 32 pieces of stolen equipment totaling over $4.2 million.
Anyone with information as to the whereabouts of McDaniels is asked to contact the Marion County Sheriff's Office at 843-423-8216 or 843-423-8399.
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Equipment recovered (Source: MCSO)
If you know where McDaniels is, call the Marion County Sheriff's Office (Source: MCSO)
Lee and Rouse receiving their award (Source: MCSO)
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