Drug unit, RPD catch thief

Victims are seeing positive results, according to authorities, after Anthony Quentin Downs, 54, was arrested last week.

Downs was initially pinned on drug charges by the Franklin County Drug Unit, but officers were later able to connect him to multiple thefts in Russellville.

According to Lt. Jake Tompkins, Aug. 6 a concerned citizen from the community contacted the Russellville Police Department and said a man driving a dark SUV tried to steal his trailer from his home.

“The homeowner confronted him, and the man left,” Tompkins said.

Tompkins said around that same time, RPD began receiving calls from several community members stating their utility trailers had been stolen from their homes.

Aug. 8 the Franklin County Drug Unit arrested Downs on drug charges, including possession of a controlled substance, drug paraphernalia and illegal possession of prohibited liquor. During their investigation, officers found a vehicle tag that belonged to one of the stolen trailers RPD was investigating, Tompkins said.

“After a lengthy conversation with Downs, he admitted to stealing several trailers and selling them to random people on the road,” Tompkins said.

So far RPD has been able to recover several of the stolen trailers, but the investigation is still ongoing.

Downs was charged with theft first degree and theft third degree with additional charges to come, according to Tompkins.