Lack of license plate leads to catalytic converter theft arrests

A Bartholomew County deputy’s check of a suspicious vehicle early Saturday morning led to the arrest of two people allegedly stealing catalytic converters from vehicles.

The sheriff’s department reports that the deputy noticed an SUV pull to a stop at South U.S. 31 and East County Road 120S at about 3:30 Saturday morning and turn off its headlights. The Jeep did not have a license plate and the deputy investigated. The driver and passenger appeared nervous while talking with the officer and Deputy Dylan Prather reportedly noticed several catalytic converters in the vehicle, as well as tools used to remove the emissions control devices from vehicles.

A sheriff’s department police dog alerted to the smell of narcotics inside the vehicle. A search by authorities uncovered a syringe and a firearm. Further investigation revealed that the catalytic converters had recently been stolen from a local business.

The driver, 33-year-old Justin Poole of Scipio and the passenger, 38-year-old Martin Cox of Elizabethtown were arrested on preliminary charges of theft and possession of a syringe. Poole is also facing a charge of carrying a handgun without a license.