GALVESTON COUNTY — Six people have been arrested in connection with a multi-county theft investigation conducted by the Gulf Coast Auto Crimes Task Force, according to a news release from the task force.

The arrests followed a three-month investigation into thefts at storage facilities across Galveston, Brazoria, Harris, Waller and Montgomery counties. Detectives said the suspects were involved in stealing travel trailers, heavy equipment and utility trailers containing off-road vehicles.

During the operation, investigators recovered two stolen Dodge Ram trucks with fraudulent vehicle identification numbers, authorities said.

According to the task force, seven suspects were identified as participants in the theft, sale and transport of stolen property. Investigators said the group is believed to be responsible for more than $1 million in stolen property this year.

The six suspects taken into custody were identified as Derrick Patterson, Shaun Childs, Learon Thierry, Manuel Ramirez, Calvin Jones and Tangelo Harris.

The task force credited assistance from the Houston Police Department Auto Theft Task Force, Montgomery County Auto Theft Task Force, Harris County Precinct 3 Constable’s Office, Waller County Sheriff’s Office and Biloxi, Mississippi Police Department.

The investigation remains ongoing.

_{Photo credit: Galveston County Sheriff’s Office/Gulf Coast Auto Crimes Task Force}