Local, state and federal authorities are investigating the reported theft of a tractor-trailer carrying approximately $8.8 million in pharmaceutical drugs Friday from a truck stop in Temple.
Temple Police Chief Ed Whitt said the theft of the blue 2007 Peter Built 18-wheel tractor-trailer hauling a 2008 white utility trailer, valued at $100,000, was hauling $8.8 million in pharmaceutical-grade medication ? including blood thinners and cold and nasal medicine ? around 8 p.m. Friday at the Pilot truck stop off of the Interstate 20 exit.
Whitt said this was the second tractor-trailer that had been reported stolen from the truck stop since May.
The theft occurred after the driver, who had just picked up the load of goods in Forest Park, had decided to pull over and stop at the Temple truck stop to take a shower before continuing on I-20.
The driver locked the tractor-trailer and carried the keys inside with him, police said, where he showered and returned to the parking lot about an hour later to discover his truck and cargo gone.
Whitt said the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Georgia Bureau of Investigation are also looking into the theft since some of the cargo ? especially the blood thinner medication ? could be harmful if not properly stored at the right temperature and then sold illegally.
Whitt said police are still investigating whether the tractor-trailer was targeted for its cargo or if the theft was a crime of opportunity and the thief or thieves were unaware of the drugs inside.
In May, Whitt said, a similar incident occurred when a driver parked at the truck stop to shower and returned to discover his 18-wheel vehicle and trailer gone. In this incident, police said, the trailer was not hauling any cargo.
Whitt said he is hoping the tractor-trailer thefts are not connected to a crime trend or ring targeting the commercial vehicles.
?At this point in the investigation, we are hoping this is not a trend or ring involved given the load that was stolen,? he said.
Whitt said this was the most substantial theft in the city since he became sworn in as Temple police chief this month after leaving the Paulding County Sheriff?s Office to take the position.
The new chief is hoping to use some of his knowledge and training from the Sheriff?s Office as well as utilize resources from other law enforcement agencies in the case.
In Paulding County, Whitt helped breakup and arrest a theft ring that targeted large vehicles, which included the theft of 12 bulldozers and 14 four-wheelers.
?In that case there had been a rash of people stealing bulldozers used for yard work,? he said. ?We got a break that led to one arrest that then led to more with some good old fashion police work.?
That ?good old fashion? police work is what Whitt said he is hoping will help crack this case. One of his first acts as chief this month included sending one of the officers in the department to a conference to learn even more about cargo theft following the recent two thefts in the city.
Whitt said extra patrols have been added at the truck stop, and he will use other resources from agencies such as the Carroll County Sheriff?s Office.
?Our officers also have to take care of every citizen in town, and we will rely on help from the county if needed,? he said. ?Our job is to keep everyone in Temple safe, and I?m not above asking for help from other agencies to do that.?
Whitt said the stolen tractor-trailer has not been recovered.
