Suspect facing charges in catalytic converter theft investigation

Note: This story has been updated

A Columbus man is facing charges after a months long investigation into catalytic converter thefts across several counties.

According to the Columbus Police Department, the agency’s Intelligence Led Policing Unit began investigating the spree of thefts from businesses in the community. Police identified 59-year-old Russell D. Neville as a suspect in the local thefts as well as those in Johnson and Marion counties.

Last week, police stopped Neville’s vehicle and he was arrested on charges for possession of methamphetamine and marijuana. The investigation continued and police recovered several saw blades of a type frequently used to cut catalytic converters off of vehicles. On Wednesday, the Bartholomew County Prosecutor’s Office filed more charges including nine counts of theft.

Evidence photo courtesy of Columbus Police Department.