Working with Johnston County investigators, detectives from the SampsonCounty Sheriff's Department found the loot in a warehouse near NewtonGrove and three other locations around the county.
The warehouses contained everything from a wood chipper and a farm tractorto sets of luggage and Brazillian mahogany.
Some of the items came from as far away as Texas and Arkansas and includeda trailer stuffed with cargo from WalMart. Authorities said they weren'tsure if they had uncovered an interstate crime ring, but they do haveseveral local suspects who were sophisticated enough to change the vehicleidentification numbers on stolen trucks.
Detectives also found a 45-caliber pistol and a small amount of drugs, butdon't think they play a big role in the thefts. There have been noarrests, but investigators say they expect some in the next few days.
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