On Wednesday the Grays Harbor Sheriff’s Office recovered an excavator stolen from around Elma last year.

Originally stolen in September, it was located by technical means on Monday and returned to its owner, said Undersheriff Kevin Schrader.

“We found it just outside of Tumwater in Thurston County on a piece of property out there,” Schrader said. “(It was in) fairly good condition given the time that it’s been missing.”

The law enforcement personnel executing the warrant also located four firearms on the property, an offense for the property owner, a convicted felon, Schrader said. That offense has been forwarded to Thurston County officials, Schrader said. Police are still searching for the suspect, Schrader said, who is wanted for first-degree theft.

The excavator, a Kubota model that retailed for about $30,000 was returned with minor damage, Schrader said.

“(The owner) seemed to be pretty happy to get it back last night,” Schrader said.

Contact Senior Reporter Michael S. Lockett at 757-621-1197 or mlockett@thedailyworld.com.