A man arrested in Chatham County on drug charges is also wanted in Bulloch County for the theft of several ATVS, motorcycles and construction tools, said Bulloch County Sheriff Noel Brown.

Bulloch County sheriff’s investigators had been seeking Brian Joseph Ridulfo, 38, for “several days” in connection to a cache of stolen ATVs, minibikes, motorcycles, construction tools and at least one handgun, he said.

Ridulfo’s wife, Crystal Nichole Ridulfo, 28, of Clito Road, was arrested Aug. 31 at the scene when deputies, acting on a tip, found a stolen ATV at the Clito Road residence, in Ms. Ridulfo’s possession, he said.

When deputies arrived Aug. 31 at the Clito Road home, which they said belonged to Jason Cleary, they found Mrs. Ridulfo standing near at ATV that was determined to have been stolen from a Five Chop Road residence. The Yamaha “Big Bear” ATV was in Cleary’s yard next to a black Chevrolet S10 pickup, where Mrs. Ridulfo was standing, he said.

Deputies spoke with Mrs. Ridulfo and Cleary and learned Brian Ridulfo had brought the Yamaha ATV to the home two days earlier.

Then, Cpl. Doug Harrell spotted a semi-automatic handgun on the dash of the Chevrolet S-10, “in plain view” and easily within Mrs. Ridulfo’s reach. He asked her to step away from the truck and took possession of the handgun. Brown said. A check on the gun’s serial numbers revealed the HK USP .45, was stolen out of Bryan County, he said.

Upon learning this, Harrell took Mrs. Ridulfo into custody. She was charged with theft by receiving stolen property and probation violation, and is being held without bond in the Bulloch County Jail, he said.

Investigators tried locating Brian Ridulfo, with no success, but continued the search with the aid of the Savannah-Chatham Metrio Police Gang Unit, Brown said.

 In the meantime, more tools, mini bikes, ATVs and other items were recovered, and Brown hopes residents who may recognize them will help identify them and help get them returned to their proper owners, he said.

Other items recovered include a Honda motorcycle and a sawed- off Stevens .410 shotgun.

 Warrants issued against Brian Ridulfo include those for three counts of theft by receiving stolen property, two counts of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, possession of an illegally sawed-off shotgun, and criminal use of an item with an altered ID mark, he said.

Since Brian Ridulfo is also believed to be on probation in Effingham County, further charges of violation of probation may be added, he said.

Further charges for both suspects are possible pending the continuing investigation.

Anyone who may have information about the recovered items is asked to contact Bulloch County Sheriff’s Capt. Todd Hutchens at 764-8888.

Herald reporter Holli Deal Saxon may be reached at (912) 489-9414.