Man charged in lawnmower thefts

Houston County Sheriff’s investigators recently arrested a Georgia man in connection to possession of and transportation of stolen property across state lines.

According to court records, deputies charged William R. Drake Jr., 52, of Bainbridge, Ga., with three felony counts of first-degree receiving stolen property and three felony counts of bringing stolen property across state lines. If convicted, Drake faces two to 20 years in prison for each of the six class B felony charges.

According to court records, investigators charged Drake with possession of three lawn mowers in Houston County worth a combined $16,500 that belonged to Georgia residents.

Drake remains held in the Houston County Jail after his bond was reduced from $180,000 to $3,000.