For several months, the Gallatin County Sheriff's Office, the Bozeman Police Department, and the Belgrade Police Department have been investigating a rash of thefts involving tools around the Bozeman area.

Over $5000 dollars in stolen property have been reported, which included tools from construction trailers, residences, and storage units, and in some cases an entire trailer of tools.

Brad Allen Essig was arrested on Wednesday, May 16th  for the thefts after authorities discovered some of the stolen tools at the defendant's residence on Gallatin Road. Some of the tools discovered were unique in nature and matched the description or serial numbers the victims gave to law enforcement.

According to court documents, Essig admitted that numerous items that were recovered were items he took.

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