Facebook tip leads to theft arrest

The Hartselle Police Department has arrested a man and woman from Jasper after officers got a tip through social media earlier this month.

On Nov. 4, Walmart reported the theft of four brand new tires from outside the Tire and Lube Center at the store. Surveillance video showed an unknown white male and white female stealing the tires and leaving the area in a red SUV.

A screenshot of the SUV was put on the Hartselle Police Department’s Facebook page and a tip from a citizen helped narrow down the make and model of the vehicle to a Mazda Navaho.

A partial tag number was obtained by Walmart and investigators found a match for the suspect vehicle in Jasper.

Investigators contacted with Frank McLain, 31, and Genia McLain, 33, both of Jasper, and both were questioned by investigators.  Police said the suspects confessed to stealing the tires and were later charged with theft of property second degree.

Both suspects were arrested at the Hartselle Police Department on Wednesday and later transferred to the Morgan County Jail and given a $2,500.00 bond each for the offense.

Both suspects are also believed to be involved in the theft of tires from the Russellville Wal-Mart in October of this year.

Frank McLain

Genia McLain