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Eight Arrested, Two Wanted For Catalytic Converter Thefts In Escambia County
August 18, 2021
Eight people have been arrested, and at least two more are wanted, in connection with the theft of about 50 catalytic converter thefts.
The 10 suspects were identified over the past eight months.
Those arrested are:
– Kevin Duane Opry, 36, Pensacola
– Edward Edward Boyd, 53, Pensacola
– Kerry Eugene Dickerson, 32, Pensacola
– Jared Gabriel Dragon, 21, homeless
– Da’Kurynin Jasean Powers, 27, Pensacola
– Richard George Holt, 52, Milton
– Joseph Wilson, 41, Cantonment
– Charles Kettering, 44, Cantonment
The two suspects still wanted are:
- Ana Marie Redd-Manulat, 30
- Michael Griffin, Jr., 23
“The number of reported catalytic converter thefts is over 300. Thieves crawl under vehicles and cut out the catalytic converter,” the ECSO said. “This has become a serious issue, and with the volume of reports, the ECSO anticipates more arrests and additional charges.”
Anyone with information is asked to call the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620 or Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP.
Comments
26 Responses to “Eight Arrested, Two Wanted For Catalytic Converter Thefts In Escambia County”
Anyone can just look at these pictures and see what they are spending their “stolen money” on. I fully agree with those that made the comment about showing an ID to sell these and add fingerprinting as well. Of course the sellers will just find someone to sell it for them. There’s a way to stop all of this but it’s all on the BUYER. To me, it’s like they don’t want to bust these types for some reason or these new regulations would be put into place. I remember when they were stealing the brass urns from cemeteries and selling them. A thief is going to do whatever he/she can to feed their habits. It’s getting bad out there.
you have to put your 10000 dollar outside air conditioning unit in a cage or this crew will steal , sell the copper for 50 dollars and smoke crack and meth . They should sweat the rest of their lives !
brass buckles and paperweights wouldn’t stop that crew from stealing , rough looking group there
if it’s of value , and available , somebody out there is trying to steal it !
@Steve.. The auto stores even sold a “Test Pipe” that would replace it.
Just like my brass knuckles are a paper weight
There are restrictions on catalytic converters for sellers and buyers. Just like most statutes there are loop holes for both to sale and buy. For example, It don’t cost but a few dollars to purchase a business license to legally sale them.
Back in the day we use cut the catalytic converter off , throw it away and weld a straight pipe and enlarge the gas nozzle opening to use leaded gas ?
Look, if I have to provide an ID to purchase cold medicine, I believe these thieves should have to provide an ID to sell these converters. They are probably getting way less than the actual going rate.
Make a deal with one of the criminals to get the name of or company that are buying the exhaust system. No one hears that cutting?
@Paul, I’m with you, can’t stand a thief, there’s no excuse for it!!!
@Jason If you want to live in that type of society, I hear that the Taliban has some openings for new citizens in Afghanistan.
It is a 2 headed coin as the buyers need to be held somewhat accountable.
This past spring I witnessed a transaction at a local business while waiting my turn to recycle some old batteries. This guy was rode up on his bike got off and walked over and pulled 3 freshly cut converters from a backpack and placed them on a bench as if it was just mindless routine after which he was given cash in hand without any question or inspection of what he brought in. His arrival and departure took less than 5 minutes total. Makes a person go hmm?
Though suspicion isn’t a crime I do believe there is more that can be done. Taxes are made off of businesses so let’s not touch them but let’s do lock up those who make them profit and are expendable in which we’ll spend thousands to incarcerate and feed another industry which provides employment throughout our justice system.
If you were to walk into a pawn shop in most states you are required to provide a photo ID plus supply a thumb print on a transaction form to help deter dealing with stolen property. I recently looked up the value online for the 4 converters on my wrecked truck and was offered 142.00 each and was required to supply vin and take photos of inside comb condition. I also checked 3 local cash in hand social website advertisers that deal with them and top payout offered is 42.00 each. with no id or proof of ownership required. Just another hmm moment.
Justice is like water as it focuses on the path of least resistance.
Prison, hard labor, 10 years minimum,
The country of Yemen
They cut your hands off
He has been in trouble within the last few years more times than you can count on one hand and still runs around to cause trouble for the community and the only was that’s possible is he is either snitching out everyone else or he is working with the police as a confidential informant either way he’s no good
@ SMH — the numerous charges against Kettering from 2019 were all “nol prossed” by the State Attorney Office following numerous depositions from alleged co-defendants and other witnesses. None of the deposition corroborated Kettering’s involvement in the burglary or subsequent theft.
The info posted on the Clerk of the Court website regarding the event made for interesting reading. It should answer your question as to why Kettering is able to be out on the street.
Well all I want to say is what a bout FRANK JOHNSON….. CRAZY HOW SOMEONE COMES UP AND HAS NO JOB NO INCOME NOTHING WOW IS ALL I HAVE TO SAY IS WOW…..
Recognize Kettering as a frequent flyer on here.
Mine was stolen in August of this year and cost me $2000 to replace I hope you catch all these guys, they don’t know what they do to other people and their livelihood!!
Facetious Bob, there is a need for recycling converters. They contain some precious metals. I wonder how they manage to dispose so many of them without raising suspicions. I suspect they sell them to actual people in the recycling business. They then incorporate them in with their legitimate junk car auto scrap and sell it to buyers. Even buyers from out of town and out of state. Their time will come. Soon I hope.
This is the 2nd time I have seen Charles Kettering on this news site in less than 2 years for theft. The lsat time was October 2019 for stealing guns and knives. How is this person still out in the community with the ability to victimize Escambia County’s citizens?????
Would there be a market for these items if there were no buyer? I remember when these type scum were selling bronze flower vases stolen from cemeterys. It would seem the buyer would be suspicious of the history or origin of the metal.
America is way too soft on crime. I expect most of these folks will see less than a year in jail — if that — and probation. Its past time to re-instate public floggings as punishment for littering, rioting, alcohol related offenses, theft related offenses and crimes that endanger the public, and for any crime committed while incarcerated. This would be in addition to mandatory jail time.
I can’t stand a thief.. They are of a lower life form.
On a side note, I’m glad my car is lowered an inch..
Good job ESCSO. One thing I hate and thats a thief. These people refuse to get a real job so they steal from honest hard working citizens. I have an old dog that would love to catch someone under one of my cars at night. He would go nuts!! HA! HA! HA!
Will the sheriff dept contact you if they have evidence one of these people stole yours? They took fingerprints when we called and made report. Wondering if they are checking all cases cause it’s been quite a while since it happened to us.
They are the worse type of criminal. Ones that victimize people for no reason other than to feed their habit.
Minimum of 5 years and during that time any and all monies earned in prison should be to pay back the victims.