Detectives teamed together to identify and locate a suspect accused of stealing about lawn mowers, tractors and skid loaders in several surrounding counties, a Rutherford County Sheriff’s detective said Friday.

The investigation led to Detective Steve Brown charging James Allen Presley, 36, of Bradyville Pike with theft over $60,000, two counts of theft between $1,000 and $10,000, and violation of probation. He is being held for Cannon and Coffee counties.

Detectives recovered about $260,000 worth of stolen property from Cranor Road in Rutherford County and zero turn lawn mowers from Centralia, Illinois.

Witnesses gave a description of a suspect and his vehicle, Detective Brown said. When confronted, the suspect gave false names and addresses. (above photo) Sheriff Arnold (left) backs a stolen mower off a trailer, while Detective Brown (right) observes.

“MTSU Police Detective Kim Rednour got on Facebook and started plugging in the names and identified the suspect as James Presley,” Detective Brown said. “Photos were shown to witnesses and victims who positively identified Presley. She broke the case through social media.”

Detectives worked with MTSU Police and Williamson, Cannon and Coffee County Sheriff’s Offices before arresting Presley Wednesday and recovering the stolen property Wednesday and Thursday.

“We’ve come up with other leads and this is still an active investigation,” Detective Brown said.

Sheriff Robert Arnold said MTSU Police Department was a great help in this investigation as well as the other agencies.