Police seek leads in rash of trailer thefts

Corbin Police and the Whitley County Sheriff’s Department are asking for the public’s help to find the individual(s) involved in a series of trailer thefts across the area.

“Five or six trailers have been reported stolen over the last two weeks,” said Corbin Police Major Rob Jones, the department’s public affairs officer, noting not all attempts have been successful.

The most recent attempt, which was unsuccessful, occurred about noon Friday at Ridge Point Lane off of Falls Hwy.

Another trailer was taken from the Seventh Street area on March 22.

Jones said the thieves are pulling a vehicle behind the trailer, hooking it up and fleeing the scene. It is all done within a matter of a few minutes.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Corbin Police at 528-1122.

Callers may remain anonymous.

Laurel County Sheriff’s deputies encountered a similar rash of thefts in January.

As a precaution against theft, Sheriff John Root suggested owners lock up or otherwise secure the trailers. In addition, owners should document the vehicle identification number (VIN) of the trailer.

If the trailer does not have a VIN, owners are encouraged to apply a unique number to the frame of the trailer.

Where two of the trailers taken in Laurel County came from dealers, Jones said the local thefts have occurred at private residences.

“We think it is the same person,” Jones said of the thefts in Laurel County and the Corbin area.

Laurel County Sheriff’s deputies arrested 21-year-old Daniel Witt and 22-year-old Dylan Southerland, both of London in connection with the theft of a trailer from a residence off of Cotton Road after the owner saw the trailer posted for sale on Facebook.

Root noted the trailers are valued between $1,500 and $3,000.