Officials in western Georgia say they've arrested two people suspected of some 30 house break-ins, in Georgia and Alabama. One of them is with a local fire department.
One of the suspects being held in the case is Arthur Scott Ramsey. He's assistant fire chief at the volunteer fire department in Mauk, in Marion County.
He and a neighbor, who is also suspected in the thefts, are being held in Marion County jail.
Jeff Watson, Sheriff of Taylor County, where at least one theft allegedly took place, says it's unclear if Marion County fire officials ran a background check on Ramsey - who reportedly has a burglary conviction - before he assumed his role.
Watson says much of the haul has already been recovered:
"...600 items equaling around $200,000 dollars or more were recovered. On our burglary in Taylor County, we got most of our items back."Watson says he hopes "the actions of a few bad apples," won't ruin the reputation if the volunteer service in the eyes of the public.
The 11 locations where the alleged thefts took place reads like a road map of western Georgia: Harris, Houston, Lamar, Marion, Muscogee, Peach, Talbot, Taylor, Schley and Webster counties, and Russell County in Alabama.
