The Georgia Bureau of Investigation said the former sergeant allegedly took a pickup truck from a dealership and a trailer belonging to the Camden County School System.
KINGSLAND, Ga. — A former Kingsland police sergeant is facing multiple felony charges after investigators accused him of stealing a Chevrolet pickup in 2024, along with a trailer and lawn mower owned by the Camden County School System.
Dereck Thomas, 33, surrendered to authorities Wednesday, Sept. 16, according to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.
The GBI said Thomas is accused of taking the Chevrolet truck from a dealership in 2024.
On June 25, 2026, authorities stopped the truck at an inspection station in Yulee. Thomas was behind the wheel and towing a trailer that had been reported stolen from the Camden County School System. Investigators also said the trailer contained a lawn mower reported stolen.
According to the GBI, Thomas was also carrying tablets owned by the Glynn County Police Department.
Thomas was still employed by the Kingsland Police Department when the alleged crimes came to light, although he was off duty at the time. The department later terminated his employment before the charges were made public.
His charges include three counts of felony theft by taking, one count of felony theft by receiving, felony removal or falsification of an identification number, filing false documents and violating his oath of office.
The Kingsland Police Department issued the following statement:
“After learning of the arrest of Dereck Thomas, a former sergeant with the City of Kingsland Police Department, Chief Rick Evans immediately requested assistance from the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.
Thomas was placed on administrative leave while the Kingsland Police Department carried out a separate Internal Affairs investigation. That review determined he had violated multiple department policies. As a result, his employment with the City of Kingsland Police Department was terminated immediately.
The Kingsland Police Department did not comment on the criminal investigation because it was being handled independently by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation. The department said withholding comment was intended to protect the integrity and independence of the GBI inquiry while supporting transparency throughout the process.
Chief Rick Evans added:
‘No individual who wears the badge is above the law or exempt from the standards of this Department. When allegations of misconduct arise, they will be addressed promptly, objectively, and without exception. Our responsibility is to the citizens we serve, the integrity of this profession, and the officers who honorably carry out their duties every day. Accountability and transparency are not optional; these are the expectations at this Department.'”
