Dayton man accused of stealing semi arrested in Georgia

DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) — A Dayton man accused of stealing a semi is now in a Georgia jail.

Officers from the West Point Police Department were called on July 11 to the Love’s Travel Stop in 1900 block of Highway 18 in West Point, Georgia. Authorities claim they were responding to the location for a vehicle trying to get gas, which had allegedly been previously reported stolen from Forsyth County, Georgia.

According to a release, responding officers found a 2016 white Volvo semi. Three JC Boom Tractors were on the flatbed trailer, police said. Police report the alleged driver, Bilen Filiz, 44, of Dayton, was placed into custody after leaving the store.

The Criminal Investigations Division spoke with the owner of the company that allegedly reported the vehicle stolen, who claimed the Dayton man was no longer an employee.

“They stated that Mr. Filiz’s employment was terminated the day prior,” the release said. “He returned the next morning and took the semi-truck and load without permission and had planned to sell everything before fleeing back to Ohio.”

As of date, Filiz is being held in the Troup County Jail in Georgia. The release said he has been charged with theft by receiving stolen property (vehicle).

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