Forestry commission investigates pine straw thefts

The S.C. Forestry Commission is investigating the theft of about $6,000 in pine straw from the Sugarloaf Mountain area of Carolina Sandhills National Wildlife Refuge near McBee during the past month.

Crime Stoppers is offering a reward for information leading to the arrest of those responsible for stealing 2,000 bales of longleaf pine straw from contractors, according to a S.C. Forestry Commission press release. This is straw that has already been purchased on a bid sale and raked and bailed on site. Of the 2,000 bails stolen, half of them were taken off of transfer trailers through forced entry. The other half was taken from the woods where it was raked.

Anyone with information about these thefts is asked to call Crime Stoppers of the Pee Dee at (888) CRIME SC (274-6372). Callers need not reveal their identities.