Two suspects and numerous stolen items have been seized with the help of landowners at the conclusion to a scavenger-hunt-like investigation by the Chilton County Sheriff’s Office.

The case was the first of two significant burglary/theft cases closed by CCSO the last week of May.

Richard Elton Fairley, 44, and Brandon James Moore, 33, were arrested based on evidence indicating their alleged involvement with stolen property from County Roads 43, 227 and 878.

Fairley and Moore are charged with burglary in the third degree and theft of property in the first degree, according to a CCSO press release by Sheriff John Shearon.

For reportedly attempting to bring methamphetamine into the jail, Fairley faces additional charges for unlawful possession of a controlled substance and promoting prison contraband.

According to the Sheriff’s Office, stolen property was initially reported from a County Road 43 residence on May 23.

On May 24, deputies incidentally discovered items consistent with those reported missing from the County Road 43 residence, while recovering a motorcycle reported stolen in a separate case. The items and motorcycle were located on County Road 878 property, which was searched by investigators and deputies until 3 a.m. the following morning.

“We were able to locate a stolen tractor, several implements for the tractor, a stolen utility trailer, a stolen washer and dryer and numerous power and hand tools that were stolen from County Road 43,” according to Shearon.

Based on evidence provided on the County Road 878 property, Lt. Lee Falkner arrested Fairley and Moore on May 25.

A May 27 report by landowners on County Road 227 located unidentified all terrain vehicles stuck on their property.

“County Road 227 and 878 are approximately a mile apart,” according to Shearon. “Deputies and investigators responded to that location and determined that a Polaris ATV and a Bad Boy Buggy found on the property were also stolen from the County Road 43 burglary on May 23.”

The vehicles were retrieved with assistance from landowners Keith and Kenneth Graham and their tractor.

“We would like to personally thank them on behalf of the Sheriff’s Office and the owner of the stolen property,” Shearon said. “In this case, we were able to return in excess of $60,000 in stolen property back to the rightful owner.”

Fairley and Moore are in the custody of the Chilton County Jail.