NEW INFORMATION: Local arrest triggers state-wide investigation - 21 News Now, More Local News for Youngstown, Ohio -

CORTLAND, Ohio - An arrest made by Cortland police has triggered a statewide investigation.

Robert Martin, Jr. of Salem made a brief visit in court Thursday morning. He's the man police arrested last week that triggered a statewide investigation into what police are calling "a possible major theft" and "chop shop ring."

Martin, who is a contractor with Yukon Excavation, was hired last winter to do some work in Cortland. However, when the work wasn't completed and equipment was left behind, the police got involved.

They discovered the abandoned items were all stolen coming from as far away as Columbus, Cleveland and even Michigan.

When police confronted Martin about the stolen equipment, he said he bought it but couldn't remember from where or from whom.

This triggered further investigations by police who searched his property where almost every power tool, vehicle and piece of industrial equipment was also stolen.

One structure on the property is where police believe Martin cut down the vehicles into parts and pieces. They describe the area as large enough to cut something as big as a tractor trailer rig down to pure scrap.

So far, the value of the property recovered is estimated at three million dollars, but police say because of the sheer amount of items they're still calculating.

"We've worked with officials in Trumbull, Mahoning and Columbiana at this time and will probably expand beyond that," said Detective David Morris from the Cortland Police Department.

The case is now being handed over to a Trumbull County grand jury.

Martin is still behind bars. His attorney says at this time he cannot comment.

Anyone with more information is being asked to contact police.