Authorities say they were selling them to an individual in Cambridge, Md.
Frederick, Md (KM) Two men are charged in connection with a series of tailgate thefts since mid-February. Brandon Lee Blucher of Glenwood, Maryland, and Ripley Allen Eppley of Monrovia are both charged with 12 counts of theft over $1,000, and one count each of theft scheme between $10,000 and $100,000, and conspiracy to commit theft scheme between $10,000 and $100,000.
The Frederick County Sheriff’s Office says these two individuals stole the tailgates from late model Ford Super Duty pickup trucks in the Bartonsville, Ijamsville, Monrovia, Mount Airy and Mount Pleasant areas. Many of the thefts took place during the overnight hours, on weekends in rural residential communities. Investigators say the usually occurred in the same neighborhood at the same time.
The tailgates were sold to an individual in Cambridge, Maryland, the Sheriff’s Office says.
Blucher was taken into custody in Monrovia, and released. Eppley was arrested in Kenosha, Wisconsin, and is in the process of being extradited back to Maryland.
By Kevin McManus