Two Richmond Hill residents were arrested last week in an unusual case of auto theft.

Wyatt Haggins and Deborah Sikes were arrested Sept. 3 after allegedly towing two vehicles from Richmond Hill that did not belong to them to a wrecker in Savannah for salvage money, according to RHPD detective Mike Albritton and BCSO detective Mickey Sands.

A 1996 Chevy C3500 truck was removed from Napa Auto on Hwy. 17 while a 1991 Ford F350 was removed from residential property on county land near Futch’s Auto Sales on Hwy. 17.

"The amazing thing is this was all done in broad daylight," Albritton said. He said the crime came to his attention when the sister of the Chevy’s owner saw the truck being towed down Hwy. 17 toward Savannah.

"She called her brother and the auto place to see if either had called to have it towed," Albritton said. "Then they called us."

Albritton said he tracked down the Chevy to the salvage yard of Savannah Recycling where was able to rescue it from being crushed and return it to the owner. About the same time, Sands’ investigation had led him to the same place and to the same two suspects.

Both vehicles were reportedly left unattended for over a month before being towed.

Sands said this kind of crime is "not as uncommon as you would think," with several reported incidents in Bryan County each year. In fact, Sands has a similar case currently pending where a vehicle was removed near Fancy Hall on Brown Road.

Albritton said older vehicles are a target in this type of scam as the state does not require a title for vehicles over ten years old.

Sikes reportedly called the tow company while Haggins’ allegedly signed the bills of sale. Both Haggins and Sikes were charged with felony theft by taking. Sikes was released on Sept. 4 when her $10,000 bond was posted while Haggins remains incarcerated pending a bond of the same amount.