TEXARKANA, Texas -A man accused of stealing heavy equipment in multiple counties was indicted by a Bowie County grand jury last week for the alleged theft of an excavator, a trailer and more from a Simms, Texas, rancher.
Justin Paul Cobb, 37, of Naples, Texas, came to the attention of law enforcement in May 2019 during an investigation into the December 2018 theft. A GPS locator attached to a missing excavator from Oklahoma-based Southwest Water Works Construction Company was pinging in the area of Cobb's property in Naples.
A Morriss County deputy sheriff observed the excavator, a bulldozer and other equipment. After contacting Cobb and being allowed on the property, officers found that a number of items which had been reported stolen in various jurisdictions were on Cobb's property.
Cobb allegedly gave investigators the explanation that he'd bought a stolen trailer belonging to the Simms rancher from an "old man" on the side of the road and that someone must have stashed other stolen items from the same victim on his property coincidentally.
Cobb was indicted last week for theft of property, more than $30,000 but less than $150,000. The offense is a third-degree felony punishable by two to 10 years in prison.
Cobb is currently free on a $100,000 bond. His case is currently assigned to 202nd District Judge John Tidwell. A date for him to appear for arraignment has not been scheduled.