The Polk County Police took a pair into custody and a third suspect was jailed after treatment for heat exhaustion when they were found by officers loading railroad ties into the back of a U-Haul over the holiday weekend, according to reports.

Officers arrived at Highway 101 and Collard Valley Road on Saturday, July 3 at 10:30 a.m. to find Celeathia Ann Nichols, 48; Rodney Eugene Whitaker, 52; and Alfredo Chiguil Ajpop, 42, with a U-Haul Truck having loaded five brand new cross ties into the back.

After police identified the trio, Nichols told officers that she had been given permission from “someone from the railroad” to take the railroad ties. Ajpop told police he was hired by Whitaker to help, and Whitaker himself began to suffer from heat exhaustion and passed out.

Redmond EMS was called to the scene and he was ultimately taken to Floyd Medical Center for treatment. While being checked out by EMS personnel, Whitaker also told police that “someone told Ms. Nichols she could have some of the cross ties.”

Police ran information on Nichols and found that she had an active warrant through DeKalb County, and asked for officers to place a hold for her arrest.

In the meantime, a Norfolk Southern Police official arrived on scene and advised they would be pressing charges against all three suspects, and both Nichols and Ajpop were taken to jail. Railroad personnel were brought out to unload the new cross ties from the back of the U-Haul before it was towed away.

Nichols, of 707 Oakland Ave., Rome, remained in the Polk County Jail without bond set for felony theft by taking and misdemeanor criminal trespass charges.

Ajpop, of 309 Woodbine Ave., Rome, was also charged with felony theft by taking and misdemeanor criminal trespass and remained in the Polk County Jail as well without bond set.

Whitaker has yet to be booked, but per the report faces charges from both the Polk County Police and Norfolk Southern Police officials for his involvement in the theft.