A large cash reward is being offered for the public’s help infinding those responsible for the theft of a trenching tractor andtrailer that were taken last year.

Authorities recovered the Ditch Witch 3610 and trailer earlierthis week. They were stolen from the Franklin County WaterAssociation in Bude during March 1999.

The items were abandoned on Highway 583, about 10 miles south ofBrookhaven, in the Enterprise Community.

“We believe it has been used in the Enterprise area, and I’msure somebody in Ruth, Wellman, Topisaw or Enterprise has seen itbeing used or knows who was using it,” said Lincoln County SheriffLynn Boyte.

Franklin County Sheriff James Newman added investigators believethe items were used several times during the last year.

“According to the clock on it, it’s worked about 50-60 hours,and investigators feel the work was done within 100 miles of here,”he said.

The machine is commonly used to dig ditches for water lines, andis valued at over $20,000, added Boyte.

Authorities are glad to have recovered it, but hope the publicwill help them so the thieves can held responsible for theiractions.

“There is a substantial award for information leading to anarrest, but I don’t know yet exactly how much,” said Newman.

Anyone with information about this crime can call the LincolnCounty Sheriff’s Department at 833-5231 or the Franklin CountySheriff’s Department at 384-2323. The caller’s identification willbe kept confidential, said authorities.