Earlier today, Tuesday, Dec. 23, local law enforcement agents recovered a Massey-Ferguson tractor believed to have been stolen from the property of James Carver residence in Sand Rock.

Around noon, reports said, Leesburg Police Chief Lanny Ransum called for assistance from the Cherokee County Sheriff's Office. Chief Ransum told officers he had received information about the theft that was reported Thursday evening, Dec. 18. When officers learned of the area in which the tractor might be, they contacted The Etowah County Sheriff's Office and requested a helicopter to assist in the search.

When the helicopter arrived about 45 minutes later, they began a search of the ara. About 15 minutes later, they located the tractor from the air along a tree line in the edge of an overgrown cover tract of timber land. The tractor was stuck in the mud along with a Toyota pick up truckin Sand Rock off Alabama Highway 68 behind a residence between one and two miles from where it had been stolen.

The tractor appeared to be in good shape, according to reports, although both vehicles were stuck in the mud and had to be pulled out with another tractor. Agents returned the tractor to its owner and seized the pickup truck as evidence in the case.

Law enforcement officers are still searching for persons of interest at this time that may have information or be involved in the theft of the tractor. Officers with Leesburg, Cherokee County Sheriff's Office and Etowah County Sheriff's Office responded, reports said.