Posted at: 07/09/2009 7:28 PM
By: Austin Reed, Eyewitness News 4; Charlie Pabst, KOB.com

Solar panel theft ring busted in Farmington

Solar panel theft becoming more common

A couple of Farmington men are behind bars for heading up a scheme to steal solar panels, and then sell them on the Internet, officials say.

Authorities say it�s actually part of a big crime trend that�s making its way across the country.

Deputies say one of the two ring leaders turned himself in last week, and the other surrendered Thursday afternoon.

Four others were arrested two weeks ago for stealing the solar panels.

They led deputies to two men: 58-year-old David Dillishaw, the manager of M.R. Salvage in Farmington, and 59-year-old Mickey Roberts, the owner of the business.

The two are accused of selling over 50 stolen solar panels on the Web site E-Bay.

San Juan County sheriff�s deputies say this kind of thing is becoming common everywhere.

"Looking at the E-Bay accounts, these things are going all over the country,� said Deputy Mike Sindlair. �These panels are worth $800 a piece, and being sold for half that on E-Bay, but being bought for only $30 a panel at the scrap yard."

The owner and manager both face up to 57 felony counts of stolen property.