A Tennessee man is in custody after being charged with the theft of five catalytic converters and landscaping equipment from two north Fayette County businesses.
Barry L. Casson, 45, of Cleveland, Tenn., was charged with six counts of theft by taking and five counts of entering auto, said Sheriff Barry Babb.
Babb said deputies on April 28 responded to a Marksmen Court business in the Kenwood Business Park off Ga. Highway 85 North where vehicles had been entered.
Deputies learned that two work trucks had the catalytic converters removed. A third truck, also with the catalytic converter stolen, was also missing two chainsaws, two hedge trimmers, a pruner, air compressor and a tool box, Babb said.
The second business, located on nearby Etowah Trace, had two work trucks entered and catalytic converters stolen. Also stolen at that location was a 200-foot welding cable, said Babb.
Deputies collected video and other evidence at the scene.
A BOLO (be on the look-out) issued for Casson and his vehicle resulted in the vehicle being spotted on April 30 at 7:36 p.m. outside the Home Depot store at the Fayette Pavilion.
Babb said deputies set up surveillance in the area and took Casson into custody when he exited the store.
Exiting the store with Casson was 36-year-old Terrance A. Dallas, of Union City, Babb said.
Dallas was in possession of a debit card and driver’s license that did not belong to him, and was charged with financial identity fraud, Babb explained.
Babb said it was not currently known if Dallas was involved with the Kenwood Business Park thefts.
Thief by Taking §16-8-2
Theft of a motor vehicle or a part of a motor vehicle worth more than $1,000. Here, you could be punished by one to 10 years in prison.
I hope this catalytic converter thief gets the full 10 year sentence.