MOULTRIE — The Colquitt County Sheriff’s Office apprehended two alleged metal thieves Wednesday while they were allegedly trying to sell some of the stolen materials.

Guy Nelson Bowman, 38, and Justin Matthew Johnson, 25, both of 506 Clarence Jones Road, were each charged with three counts of felony theft by taking.

Colquitt County Sheriff’s Investigator Lt. Shannon Hart said Bowman and Johnson were allegedly trying to sell some stolen aluminum irrigation pipes to the Recycling King on Sylvester Highway Wednesday. He and Colquitt County Sheriff’s Investigator David Corona arrived at the scene and placed them under arrest. The 28 pipes were reported stolen by Rick Moss Tuesday from his property on Funston-Sale City Road and were valued at $2,240.

In addition to the pipe theft, Hart said Bowman and Johnson allegedly stole about 20,000 pounds of steel, valued at an estimated $2,000, from Dale Yaraborough’s property on Sam Sells Road Tuesday. The two allegedly made two trips to the property and sold the metal to the 319 Auto Salvage, he said.