A Collinsville man – 36 year old Gary Shane Morris – has been arrested on the charge of Timber Theft; the arrest was made by law enforcement officers with the Alabama Forestry Commission in cooperation with the Etowah County Sheriff`s Office.

Morris was charged with 2nd Degree Theft by Taking, for allegedly taking timber that had been valued at $13,400; if convicted, the Class C felony carries a jail sentence of one to 10 years, and a fine of up to $15,000.

The Alabama Forestry Commission (AFC) is committed to reducing the number of any forestry-related crimes, across the state; these crimes generate losses of hundreds of thousands of dollars annually to landowners, the timber industry, and Alabama’s economy.

The AFC provides an `Arson/Forest Crimes Hotline` so that citizens can make reports regarding the theft of timber, vandalism or theft of harvesting equipment, and wildland arson.

The toll-free number is 1-800-222-2927.

Any information provided is confidential and the caller remains anonymous.

 

WEIS Radio