On January 11th, 2025, at approximately 9:10 p.m., a theft occurred at a construction site at 425 S. Woodland Boulevard in DeLand. A suspect operating a Bobcat skid steer entered the property and stole a new pallet fork attachment belonging to a DeLand business owner. The victim observed the theft in progress through a security camera and immediately notified law enforcement. Officers responded, but the suspect had fled the scene.

The investigation led detectives to identify Joshua Tefft, owner and operator of All American Tree and Bobcat Services in Pierson, as the primary suspect. Detectives conducted covert surveillance over an extended period, confirming the presence of the trucks, a trailer, and a Bobcat skid steer used during the commission of the crime.

On January 17th, 2025, through a coordinated effort between the DeLand Police Department Criminal Investigations Division, and the Volusia Sheriff's Office, investigators obtained and executed a search warrant at the suspect’s Pierson property. The operation uncovered several additional pieces of stolen property from multiple locations, including two tractors from Georgia, a U-Haul auto transport trailer from Sanford, a U-Haul trailer from Texas, and another trailer from Georgia.

On June 12th, 2026, Joshua Tefft pleaded guilty to charges including grand theft, operating a chop shop, and director of dealing in stolen property. On June 25, He was sentenced to 16 months in state prison, followed by 10 years of probation with special conditions. Additionally, the court ordered restitution totaling $10,000 to compensate victims for their losses, including a business owner in DeLand.

The outcome of this case highlights the value of interagency cooperation and the dedication of investigators who worked tirelessly over many months to identify those responsible and recover stolen property.