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LEESBURG — In a press release sent out Friday, Leesburg Police Chief Lanny Ransum reminded residents in his town and across Cherokee County to properly record and document their property, in case it is ever stolen.

Ransum cited a rash of thefts involving wheeled vehicles for his reminder.

"Over the course of the last year, the town of Leesburg has experienced a large number of utility trailer, lawnmower, and ATV thefts," read Ransum's statement, dated Dec. 3. "We have talked with several surrounding agencies and they are experiencing the same problem."

Ransum said the Nov. 20 discovery of a trailer and golf cart stolen from Leesburg earlier in the year led to an arrest a few days ago.

"On Nov. 30, Leesburg Police Department Investigator Brian Gilliland located a person of interest," Ransum said. "He was identified as Ronald Barnes, 28, of Gadsden."

Barnes was arrested and charged with two counts of receiving stolen property after it was discovered that he had sold several items at auction in Cleveland, Ala. over the previous 12 months.

"After running down some of the items sold by the suspects, the Cullman Police Department was able to recover a Kubota lawmower stolen in July 2010 from a Mackey Drive address," Ransum said in the statement. "It was sold by the same individual."

Besides recording serial numbers on items susceptible to theft, Ransum also recommended taking and keeping photographs.