JENKINSBURG, Ga. - Investigators in Butts County say they have dismantled a multi-county crime ring accused of stealing and transporting heavy construction equipment across metro Atlanta.

What we know:

The case began after equipment was reported stolen from a construction site in Jenkinsburg. Investigators reviewed hours of surveillance video and spotted a suspect vehicle, a rental truck from Home Depot. Working with Home Depot’s corporate security team, deputies traced the vehicle to its renter and identified several people believed to be involved.

Further evidence tied the truck to thefts at other sites, including the new Publix construction project on Highway 42 in Locust Grove.

A search warrant in Newton County led to the arrest of Eric Cole, along with the recovery of the rental

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