Following sitting in a wooded area and conducting surveillance for two weeks, the Butler County Sheriff's Department arrested a man and charged him for stealing frozen meats.

"MBM, a meat delivery company located in Montgomery, had reported they suspected an employee for stealing merchandise," said Chief Deputy Kenny Harden. "We set up surveillance on the subject, and on Monday Apr. 12 shortly before 11 p.m. we observed the suspected employee, Vincent O'Neal Patterson, age 35, load boxes of catfish, bacon, chicken pot pies and steak sauce into his vehicle."

Harden said after following the suspect to his residence on Marshy Bottom Road, the suspect was taken into custody for theft of property, second degree.

"He had moved the merchandise, valued at $278 into his residence, Harden said.

Patterson was transported to the Butler County Jail, where he was booked on charges for theft of property, second degree.

"Patterson has since been released on $10,000 property bond," Harden said. " At this time it is uncertain how long this had been going on."

Harden said this investigation leading up to the capture of Patterson was made possible in part by assistance from Georgiana Police Department and the Conecuh County Sheriff's Office.

"Those two agencies notified us when the driver left their jurisdictions," Harden said.