HAYWOOD COUNTY, Tenn. (March 19, 2025) – James O’Dell Kirkpatrick Jr., a 46-year-old man from Lauderdale County, has been arrested in connection with a series of thefts spanning several months. Kirkpatrick is accused of participating in a string of burglaries, including a $165,000 theft of copper and goods from irrigation systems in Mid-South between September 2024 and January 2025.
The Haywood County Sheriff’s Office announced Kirkpatrick’s arrest on March 18, along with the arrests of two other suspects involved in the irrigation system thefts. Investigators say that Kirkpatrick, along with his co-conspirators, stole copper and other valuable materials from the irrigation systems, significantly impacting the local agricultural industry.
However, this was not Kirkpatrick’s only criminal involvement. Authorities also claim that Kirkpatrick participated in a high-profile burglary in July 2024, before the irrigation thefts began. He and his accomplice, Timothy Kirkpatrick, reportedly stole over $111,000 worth of goods from a store on Van Buren Road in Haywood County. The stolen items included side-by-sides, a safe, batteries, boat fuel tanks, and gas cans.
As of now, James O’Dell Kirkpatrick faces a total of 23 charges related to the irrigation thefts, as well as burglary and theft charges in connection with the July burglary of the Haywood County store. He is facing charges for burglary and theft of property valued between $60,000 and $250,000.
Meanwhile, Timothy Kirkpatrick, who is also connected to the same store burglary, remains wanted by the authorities. He faces the same charges as James Kirkpatrick and is currently evading arrest.
The Haywood County Sheriff’s Office is urging anyone with information about Timothy Kirkpatrick’s whereabouts to contact them at 731-772-6158 or CrimeStoppers at 731-424-8477.
This investigation remains ongoing, and authorities are working to locate the remaining suspects involved in these high-profile thefts.
