COFFEE COUNTY, GA – The Coffee County Sheriff’s Office has successfully solved a theft investigation within 24 hours, resulting in the recovery of ten stolen solar panels valued at approximately $30,000 and the arrest of a Douglas man.
On October 28, 2026, the Coffee County Sheriff’s Office received a report of stolen solar panels that had been removed from a property in Coffee County. The ten QCELLS solar panels were valued at approximately $3,000 each, bringing the total reported loss to $30,000.
The Criminal Investigation Division immediately took the lead in the investigation, with assistance from the Patrol Division and the Drug Interdiction and Criminal Enforcement (D.I.C.E.) Unit.
Through investigative resources, witness information, and follow-up investigative efforts, investigators identified a suspect and determined that the stolen solar panels had been transported to Jewell’s Recycling in Douglas, where they were reportedly sold as scrap metal.
Investigators successfully recovered all ten solar panels from Jewell’s Recycling. The property was positively identified by its rightful owner and subsequently returned.
As a result of the investigation, Gary Eugene Hayes, 44, of Douglas, Georgia, was arrested and charged with two counts of Theft by Taking, in violation of O.C.G.A. § 16-8-2.
Sheriff Fred Cole commended the divisions involved for their coordinated efforts and swift investigative work.
“Let me make something perfectly clear. We will not tolerate theft in Coffee County. If you think you want to steal something in this county, you better think again. We will exhaust every resource available to identify you, find you, and hold you accountable. We will even make sure you have a reservation at the Cole Inn and Suites. There is no safe haven for thieves in Coffee County.”
Sheriff Cole added that the successful recovery of all ten solar panels demonstrates the Sheriff's Office's commitment to protecting the property and interests of Coffee County residents.
Gary Eugene Hayes is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
The Coffee County Sheriff's Office encourages residents to report suspicious activity and reminds anyone considering theft that property crimes will be aggressively investigated and prosecuted.