Detectives in Marion County are hoping to return hundreds of stolen items to burglary victims, including lawn mowers, tools, jewelry and even a kitchen sink.
The Marion County Sheriff's Office arrested 44-year-old Duane Helvie Dec. 3 as he was trying to break into storage units.
Investigators went to his Summerfield home and found storage trailers filled with lawn mowers, power tools, appliances and hiding spots in the woods near the home for other valuables, like coins and jewelry.
The Sheriff's Office said he had yard sales in front of his home selling the stolen items some of which were stolen from other people’s yard sales.
Deputies have loaded up trailers full of the stolen property and are setting up shop at different locations throughout the southern part of the county hoping to get people their stuff back.
If you think you might have been victimized, you are asked to pick up your stolen belongings from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday at the South Marion District Sheriff’s Office on S.E. 165th Mulberry Lane in The Villages.