| The recovery of a stolen truck and trailer wound up with mixed emotions by the owner. Shannon Scott owned the 2001 Freightliner for seven years. He and his wife Rikki used it on their trips to auto race tracks throughout the US and had starting viewing it as a second home. "It was special to us," Scott said. "It was one of the first things Rikki and I got. It was comfortable and never broke down on the highway." |  |
| The loss earlier this month was weighing on his mind since he was looking at a race in Louisiana and wanted to make an appearance there. Purchasing another vehicle in time for the race was just about out of the question. Only a couple of companies specialize in those vehicles and the waiting list is several months long. The Freightliner didn't come back unscathed. The thieves ripped out televisions, DVD players and caused more damage to the interior. "I want to get rid of the curtains," Rikki said. "I don't want anything in there they touched." The Pace Shadow trailer also was victim to abuse as part of the theft. Scott said it appeared as though it was pulled under a bridge without enough clearance, damaging the top and putting a hole in the side. An awning built onto the side was destroyed. Some of the tools stored inside the trailer used during racing were taken. The trailer was able to be brought back to the Ford dealership Scott owns. Sadly, the Freightliner requires more work to make it drivable. The thieves hot-wired the vehicle resulting in a burned out starter and damage to the wiring. The vehicles were recovered Thursday by Henryetta police chief Steve Norman and detective Jeremy Wade. They were on their way to visit with Ardmore police about the theft and found the truck in an abandoned rest stop. Norman said the case appears to be part of a large ring operating in Oklahoma and Texas. One person was arrested but he declined to say if more arrests were imminent. | |
