LITCHFIELD, Minn. -- Authorities have recovered several all-terrain vehicles, trailers and skid loaders stolen from dealerships throughout Minnesota and Wisconsin.
The Meeker County Sheriff's office said charges are pending against several individuals in the case. Authorities believe a group of thieves had been targeting Polaris dealerships in the area.
The thieves struck dealerships often in similar fashion. They stole a truck or some type of trailer, loaded ATVs -- often still in crates -- into the truck or trailer and drove off.
A dealership in Watkins lost about $100,000 in product one February night and $46,000 on June 6.
The equipment was recovered as a result of a search warrant executed in Meeker County about a week ago. Similar equipment was recovered after a search warrant was issued north of the Twin Cities.
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Some of the equipment retrieved north of the Twin Cities was taken from Meeker County and might indicate a larger crime ring.
Authorities from Meeker and Hennepin counties along with the FBI teamed up recently to conduct several searches at locations in Minnesota and Wisconsin.
The investigation is ongoing.
