Stolen Alabama School Bus Found Abandoned, K9 Follows Footprints to Suspect
A school bus stolen in Alabama Monday morning was found on a logging road later that day, and police dogs were able to follow a trail of fresh footprints to the alleged thief.
Joni Money, a spokesperson for the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office, said deputies were alerted early Monday morning that a county school bus had been stolen sometime before dawn out of the West Jefferson Town Hall parking lot in the town of Quinton.
Later Monday, the bus was spotted in Walker County, parked on an old logging road in Quinton not far from where it was taken.
Money said JCSO deputies responded to the scene and found fresh footprints leading away from the bus toward Watkins Road, where they deployed a police K9.
The dog located 44-year-old James Stafford, who deputies believe is responsible for stealing the school bus.
Stafford was transported to the Jefferson County Jail in Birmingham, where he was charged with first-degree theft of property.
Money said his bond has been set at $20,000.
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