2 men arrested in multistate heavy equipment theft ring, more arrests expected

Two men have been arrested in connection with the theft of large equipment, including excavators and other heavy machinery, and more arrests are expected.

According to police, on June 7, Chambers County deputies responded to a GPS signal from a stolen excavator near SH-99 and Interstate 10 in Chambers County. Working with investigators from the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff's Office, they traced the suspect vehicle to Jimmy McGee, 39, of Mont Belvieu. Officers found another excavator on McGee's trailer with its VIN plate removed and fresh paint on its arm, increasing their suspicions.

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When investigators interviewed McGee at his home, they found discrepancies in his story about where he was the night of the robbery. According to authorities, the shovel was seized for further investigation and positive identification. On June 10, with the assistance of auto theft investigators, detectives confirmed that the second excavator had been reported stolen in Beaumont. Police say search warrants executed in and around Chambers County turned up several stolen items, primarily in the Beaumont area.

Detectives identified James Mason, 38, of Baytown, as McGee's main accomplice. The investigation revealed that McGee, Mason and other accomplices monitored the equipment from east Houston to west Louisiana during the day and transported it at night to Chambers County. They would then change the identity of the items and sell them below their market value.

To date, detectives have discovered $347,000 worth of stolen equipment, including excavators, skid steer loaders, trailers and tractors. Arrest warrants have been issued for McGee and Mason for multiple offenses, and both men are now incarcerated at the Chambers County Sheriff's Office Jail.

Jimmy McGee faces several charges, including unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon, with bail set at $50,000. He is also charged with falsifying an identification number, holding a $15,000 bond and engaging in organized criminal activity – theft of property, for which he has a $300,000 bond.

James Mason is charged with engaging in organized criminal activity – theft of property, with bail set at $300,000.

This case remains under investigation and further arrests are expected. Anyone with stolen construction equipment or trailers in Southeast Texas or West Louisiana is asked to email Lt. Tanner Dickens at [email protected] with details of the theft .

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