Early morning car theft results in missing book bag

Published 2:25 pm Wednesday, December 9, 2015

The Chilton County Sheriff’s Department is asking for the public’s help in locating a pink and grey book bag, which was last seen on U.S. Highway 31 near Johnson Controls.

The book bag was being used as a diaper bag by the owners and contained personal information including a driver’s license and bank cards.

The book bag was taken during several vehicle thefts that occurred Tuesday morning.

Shane Mayfield with the Chilton County Sheriff’s Office said officers initially received a call around 5:30 a.m. on Tuesday from a couple who lives on County Road 495 in the Cooper community.

“A man woke up and saw a light on in one of their vehicles,” Mayfield said. “Initially, he thought his wife left the light on in the car, but when he got closer he realized someone was going through the car. He called 911 and watched two individuals get in a truck that was parked on the side of County Road 495, head north on U.S. 31 and we had a patrol deputy that got the car stopped near Whataburger.”

Mayfield said officers returned to the location where the cars were broken into and located driver’s licenses and Social Security cards from a third party that was not involved in the incident.

“It turns out someone else had their vehicle broken into,” Mayfield said. “We then went back and found where some stuff had been thrown out on the side of the road. One of the items that was thrown out was the pink and grey book bag, but someone else must have driven by and picked it up. We are just hoping that someone will return it because the people who lost it would really like it returned.”

Mayfield said the two individuals who allegedly broke into the vehicles on County Road 495 were Michael Littlefield of Clanton and Andrew Williams of Verbena.

As of Tuesday afternoon, Mayfield said Littlefield and Williams were both being held at the Chilton County Jail, but had not been formally charged.

Mayfield said the vehicles Littlefield and Williams broke into were unlocked, and encouraged residents to remember to lock their car doors.

“We are in the season where people are aware that gifts are under Christmas trees and items are stored in cars,” Mayfield said. “It is important for people to remember to lock their car doors to prevent thefts that might occur.”

If anyone has information regarding the book bag, they are asked to call the sheriff’s office at (205) 755-4698.