Sheriff's deputies arrest man in Eagle Pointe thefts

By By Fredie Carmichael / staff writer
Jan. 8, 2004
Lauderdale County sheriff's deputies believe they have solved part of a theft ring responsible for stealing more than $4,300 worth of lawn items from an upscale subdivision.
Sheriff Billy Sollie said Wednesday some of the items, including yard statues and outdoor furniture, were first reported missing in June from Eagle Pointe in north Lauderdale County.
Last week, deputies arrested James Champ Rigdon, 30, at his 7729 Highway 45 North home. There, they found $2,750 worth of the stolen items and charged him with receiving stolen property, possession of a controlled substance and possession of a weapon by a felon.
Rigdon was later released from jail on a $35,000 bond. Sollie said Rigdon is the first of "several suspects" deputies believe could be behind the theft ring.
Sollie also said Rigdon's charges could be upgraded as the investigation continues. The sheriff would not say if he believed Rigdon was the leader of the suspected theft ring.
Sollie said investigators were led to Rigdon's home after a phone call to the department's CrimeStoppers line. The caller told deputies that items stolen from the subdivision could be found at Rigdon's home.
Anyone with additional information can call CrimeStoppers at 917-8888.