Two charged in propane tank thefts

Two men were arrested Saturday in connection with the thefts of propane tanks from local businesses.

The thefts occurred Wednesday at the Kroger on Pio Nono Avenue and Mini Foods convenience store on Ingleside Avenue, according to a Bibb County Sheriff's Office release. A total of 52 tanks were stolen. A security camera at the Kroger showed two men get out of a white van and take the tanks.

On Saturday a deputy who had responded to the Mini Foods theft saw a white Dodge Journey parked at Young's Grocery on Montpelier Avenue.

He noticed circular impressions on the carpet in the rear of the vehicle that were about the size of the bottom of the tanks.

A deputy who had viewed the Kroger footage and was called to the scene and he said the driver appeared to be the same man caught on the security camera. The driver and another man were taken to the sheriff's office for questioning.

Marlowe Jackson Jr., 41, and Willie Irvin, 61, both of Macon, were charged with theft by taking and criminal trespass. Jackson was also charged with theft by taking violation of probation.

-- Wayne Crenshaw

This story was originally published February 14, 2016 at 6:41 PM with the headline "Two charged in propane tank thefts ."