A joint investigation by the Butler County Sheriff’s Office and the Alabama Forestry Commission into thefts of timber harvesting equipment and component parts has resulted in the arrest of four men.

Robert Michael Williams, 42, of Clanton, was charged with theft, first degree, and receiving stolen property, first degree; Lafayette Alexander Hall, 30, of Alberta, was charged with receiving stolen property, second degree; Terry Tyrone Square, 34, of Alberta, was charged with receiving stolen property, second degree, and Willie Thomas, 37, of Lowndes County, was charged with theft of property, first degree. The theft occurred in Butler, Clarke, Macon, Montgomery, Monroe and Wilcox Counties.

“This is good for our department,” Butler County Sheriff Kenny Harden said. “This cuts down on the theft. For us in this county, it helps the honest loggers that we do have here and takes those people off the streets that are taking advantage of them.”

Alabama Forestry Commission Chief Craig Hill credited Harden with getting the case started when the BCSO arrested an individual that had stolen a logging trailer. This one arrest resulted in solving cases in six counties where the value of stolen or destroyed timber harvesting components and equipment was valued at approximately $236,000. Agencies assisting in the investigation were the Chilton, Clarke and Wilcox County Sheriff’s Offices and the Centreville Police Department.

This investigation started on June 16 when a report was filed of a log trailer being stolen. The trailer was recovered on June 18 by Centreville Police Department.