Three Opp residents were arrested after they allegedly were involved in a three-county burglary and theft sting.

Opp Police Chief Mike McDonald said the department’s criminal investigations division opened the case earlier this month after a local business reported a burglary and theft of outdoor equipment and mechanical equipment.

McDonald said investigators arrested Shannon Lee Harrison and Michael Allen Paxton on charges of burglary III and theft of property II.

“As the investigation progressed, it was determined that a third suspect was involved in burglary and theft charges in Covington County cases,” McDonald said. “Joey Harrison Jr. was located, interviewed and arrested by the Covington County Sheriff’s Office.”

McDonald said that during the investigation, law enforcement officers were able to link the suspects to other burglaries in Geneva and Coffee counties.

“Further, the investigation led investigators to a residence located within the city of Opp, where a large amount of the reported stolen items were recovered by the Opp Police Department and the Covington County Sheriff’s Office,” he said.

McDonald said that an estimated $7,696 had been stolen in the tri-county area.

The case remains under investigation and additional arrests are pending, he said.

-Staff Reports