Investigators with the Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office assigned to the Northeast Texas Auto Theft Task Force have wrapped up a multi-agency operation that led to the recovery of more than $370,000 in stolen trailers and heavy equipment, along with an arrest warrant for a key suspect.
The case began when task force investigators started assisting other agencies on thefts involving equipment and trailers purchased using fraudulent documents. As they compared cases, investigators noticed striking similarities to thefts reported in multiple Texas counties, including Cooke County. That prompted Cooke County investigators to partner closely with the task force, and together they developed a solid lead tying the cases together.
On December 8, 2025, the investigation reached a turning point when officers executed a search warrant at a property in Kaufman County, with support from the Kaufman County Sheriff’s Office. Inside, investigators recovered 14 confirmed stolen items, including trailers and equipment. The combined value exceeds $370,000.
Authorities say the recovered property had been reported stolen from five states: Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana, and Missouri, underscoring the wide reach of the fraud and theft operation.
Hopkins County Sheriff Lewis Tatum praised the teamwork behind the recovery. He noted that the case shows how coordinated task forces can effectively take on organized criminal operations that move across county and state lines.
An arrest warrant has been issued for one suspect, and investigators expect additional warrants as the case continues to unfold.
