By CHAD ABSHIRE

Staff Writer

WILLIAMSON - The Williamson Police Department recovered another motorcycle yesterday, putting the count up to three out of seven vehicles recovered from a theft that happened nearly two weeks ago.

Chief of Police C.D. Rockel told the Daily News that the WPD received an anonymous tip earlier Friday, revealing the location of the latest motorcycle to be recovered.

“It had not been ridden, the engine was cold,” Rockel said. “Someone ditched it.”

The motorcycle, a Honda CRF 250, was found laying against the side of a house on Fifth Avenue and Oak Street, he said. It was recovered by Sgt. G.P Dotson and Patrolman J.F. Taylor III. The motorcycle was valued at $7,000.

Rockel said it was most likely abandoned there because the theft “has become too hot.”

“These people (who stole the motorcycles) are scared because of the publicity it’s getting.”

On Thursday, two motorcycles were recovered by the WPD - a Honda 450 and a Honda 80 - worth a combined value of nearly $12,000, from a home in Williamson.

There are still four vehicles, two motorcycles and two ATV’s, that have yet to be recovered from a warehouse theft that happened during the late night hours of Saturday, Nov. 5, and into Sunday morning, Nov. 6. The warehouse is used by Hatfield-McCoy Power Sports, a business in Goody, Ky. The estimated value in stolen property ranges from $30,000 to $50,000 in total.

Rockel called the stolen vehicles a result of “a juvenile theft ring,” on Thursday, and suspected there were likely “three to five juveniles involved” and that their ages ranged from “13 years old to 16 years old.”

The chief told the Daily News on Friday, though, that the WPD has “an adult also,” involved in the theft. A name was unavailable.

However, Rockel said that details were coming to light.

“We have suspects,” he said. “And we’ll be obtaining warrants and expecting arrests some day next week.”

The possible charges those involved could face are: breaking and entering, grand larceny and transferring stolen property out of the state.

The chief also praised his department’s efforts on the case, saying that “everyone has worked on it.”

“When I first came here nine weeks ago,” he said, “we had eight individuals. Now we have a team.”

“I’m very proud of every one of them.”

Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the Williamson Police Department at (304) 235-2570.

Rockel said that the WPD has followed up on every lead that has been sent in.

The case is under investigation by WPD Patrolman Darry Paige and Chief C.D. Rockel.