Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

A truck trailer and excavator stolen from a River Falls business were later found in Conecuh County and a suspect was arrested.

According to the River Falls Police Department, a call was received on Dec. 5 reporting that a truck had been stolen from a business on Sunnyside Street. Video surveillance showed that the truck was pulled of the yard of the business at approximately 4:30 a.m.

Shortly after the initial call, the victim was notified that his truck could be found on CR 47 in Red Level, just inside Conecuh County. Deputies in Conecuh County informed River Falls Police Chief Marcus Laster that they were responding to a call of a white male beating on a resident’s door, waking them up. When deputies arrived, the suspect fled on foot.

Deputies returned to the scene shortly after and found the suspect attempting to detach the stolen trailer from the truck after it got stuck in yard timbers, which also caused damage to the trailer. The suspect was held at the scene until River Falls police officers arrived on the scene.

Christian Cline, 18, of River Falls was taken back to the River Falls Police Department where he was questioned about the theft. According to law enforcement, Cline was a former employee of the company and knew where to find keys to the truck. Cline was charged with first degree theft and was booked into the Covington County Jail. His bond was set at $20,000.

“We want to truly thank Conecuh County for their quick response and help in this case and the ones who came forward with the whereabouts of this stolen vehicle,” Chief Laster said. “Everything was turned back over to the rightful owner. Let this be a lesson that this kind of behavior will absolutely not be tolerated.”