When a number of Brantley employees cracked open the town’s work barn on a warm Tuesday morning, it wasn’t what they saw but rather what they didn’t see that surprised them most.

At approximately 8 a.m. on June 24, it was eventually discovered that five pieces of landscaping equipment were stolen from the Town of Brantley’s work barn supply room located right across from the town’s fire department on Highway 29.

It is unknown whether the theft was the work of one or more perpetrators.

Though details are scarce, Brantley town administrator Phillip Moseley said that the town is offering an incentive for residents with tips as to what might’ve happened.

“We’re offering a $500 award for any information leading to the arrest and conviction, or either the return of the stolen items,” Moseley said.

Though there are several questions to be answered, a couple of concrete details have been ironed out.

The incident occurred sometime between Monday, June 23 at 8:30 p.m. and the following morning at 8 a.m., during which time five items disappeared from the town’s supply room.

The items include a Honeywell generator, an Echo PE-200 lawn edger, a yellow Wacker PG 2A centrifugal dewatering pump with a red motor, a Stilh FS 90 R weed eater and a Stilh BR 400 leaf blower.

The items total approximately $2,700 in value, which labels the crime as a first-degree theft of property charge in addition to third-degree burglary, but it isn’t the money that proves the only inconvenience to the Town of Brantley—it’s the timing.

“We’ve had to replace a couple of the pieces already,” Moseley added.

“Anytime during the summer you lose any of your power equipment, you’re going to get behind on your grass and things like that.”

Individuals with information pertaining to the incident are asked to call the Town of Brantley at (334) 527-8624 or (334) 527-3245.

In addition, there is also the option to leave info on the town’s Contact Us section of the website at www.townofbrantley.com.  Anonymous information is appreciated, but those looking to collect a reward will have to leave some information.