An Andalusia man won’t be popping wheelies any time soon when the Greenville Police Department made an arrest after closing an almost month-long case last week.

David Allan Appell, 38, was arrested on Wed., Nov. 5, for allegedly stealing two mini bikes and a trailer across two states in Alabama and South Carolina. He was arrested at his Covington County home, and his charges include theft of property II for the mini bikes and trailer, and a failure to appear warrant on a theft of property III charge.

According to GPD Lt. Justin Lovvorn, Appell stole the mini bike from the parking lot of the local business.

“The security cable that kept the bike from being stolen had been cut,” Lovvorn said. “Investigators reviewed the store’s security video and observed a light-colored van pulling a trailer come into the parking lot. A male subject excited the van, cut the cable and loaded the mini bike onto his trailer.”

Lovvorn said that investigators put the bike’s information in the law enforcement data base and continued to search for the suspect.

On Nov. 5, APD contacted GPD investigators and said there was a mini bike that fit the description of the stolen one at a residence in their jurisdiction, Lovvorn said.

“Investigator (Sgt.) Kenneth Hadley and Corp. Danny Bond traveled to Andalusia and met with their investigators,” Lovvorn said.

From there, the GPD was led by the APD to Appell’s residence, where the stolen mini bike was seen in close proximity to Appell.

“Sgt. Hadley approached the white male and identified himself to him,” Lovvorn said. “He then conducted a brief interview with the white male, who identified himself as David Appell, and learned that the mini bike in the yard had been stolen from a Tractor Supply store in South Carolina. Officers continued to search the property and located a van that appeared to be the same one the suspect was driving in the Greenville Tractor Supply security video.

“Officers then discovered another mini bike in a shed on the same property,” he said. “The vehicle identification number on this mini bike matched the one that was stolen in Greenville. David Appell was questioned about the second mini bike and admitted to stealing it from Greenville.”

GPD Chief of Police Lonzo Ingram said Hadley did fine work.

“That was outstanding police work,” Ingram said. “I appreciate the effort he put into it and the good work he did to close this case out.”

Appell was transported back to Butler County, where he was booked into the correctional facility under a $10,000 bond. Since his arrest, Appell has made bond.

“Of course, we appreciate the help of the Andalusia Police Department and the Covington County Sheriff’s Office in helping us close this one out,” Ingram said.

South Carolina law enforcement was informed of the mini bike recovery and charges are pending for their jurisdiction as well.