Montgomery men charged with theft of tractor-trailer from Smith Tractor Co.

Two Montgomery men were arrested and charged with theft of property after local authorities caught them in the act earlier this month at a business in Atmore.

According to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, 26-year-old Johnny Deon Whitt, of 25 Calhoun Rd., and 24-year-old Quentin Devontea Jackson, of Potonac Dr., were taken into custody Wed. March 1, after stealing a tractor/trailer combination from Smith Tractor Co. on U.S. Hwy. 31.

According to an ECSO release, Deputy Paul Hudson was on special detail when he noticed a dark-colored vehicle slowly approach the dealership at approximately 11:30 p.m. ECSO officials said Hudson witnessed the pair cut a lock on the equipment, hitch it to their vehicle and drive away in the direction of Canoe. Hudson gave chase and apprehended both suspects a short time later.

Both men were charged with theft of property I and booked into the Escambia County Jail, where they were later each released on $30,000 bond.

Chief Deputy Mike Lambert said he would like to commend Hudson for going above and beyond the call of duty by coming in on his day off in order to work the detail and for apprehending the suspects.

Officers from the Atmore Police Department and additional ECSO deputies assisted in the arrest.