NACOGDOCHES COUNTY, Texas (KLTV) - Two men are behind bars after Nacogdoches County Sheriff Jason Bridges said they stole high-dollar equipment from an oil rig site May 21 in Nacogdoches County.
“Within 12 hours, we had the subjects identified and we had their equipment recovered,” Bridges said Thursday. The recovered items were two welding machines, a trailer and other equipment, the sheriff noted.
Dylan Marshal Tolbert, of Etoile, and Austin Blake Cates, of Angelina County, who Bridges said lives in the Huntington area, were arrested and booked into the Nacogdoches County Jail.
Both men were charged with theft of property, more than $30,000 but less than $150,000, Bridges said, noting Tolbert also received drug possession charges.
Bridges said the two men went to an oil facility when no workers were on site and stole the equipment, with deputies recovering the property in multiple counties.
The sheriff said the case underscores his office’s commitment to pursuing offenders and helping residents recover stolen property.
“If you’re found guilty here, you’re going to do the time,” he said.
Charged with third-degree felonies, both men could face between two to 10 years in prison and fines up to $10,000 if convicted.