Feds may take over local bust

The FBI may be taking over a case in which a search warrant was executed Thursday at a private residence in northern Hill County that was triggered by a stolen ATV.

The Phillips County Sheriff’s Office worked with the Hill County Sheriff’s Office and the Tri-Agency Safe Trails Task Force as part of an investigation that Phillips County Sheriff Scott Moran said started in January 2012 when a Polaris RZR was stolen in his county.

Moran said his department recently got some information about the whereabouts of the missing ATV and that’s what led his department to Hill County. He said they found what they were looking for as soon as they got there, but that there was also more.

“Hill County also found some stolen stuff,” he added.

Aaron Wittmer of the task force said drugs had also been found on the property. He believed the property was somewhere off Wildhorse Road.

Wittmer said the case could be turned over to the FBI.

Hill County Sheriff Don Brostrom said the operation took place at  a  “private residence up north.” He said the investigation is ongoing and would not make further comment.

Moran said no arrests have been made and said arrest warrants could be issued once the case is turned over to the county attorney.