Suspects arrested in catalytic converter theft

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FOLEY, Alabama — A pair of suspects from Tennessee were arrested in the early morning hours Friday in connection with a report of catalytic converters stolen from a business in Foley.

According to a release issued Friday by the Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office Investigations Command, BCSO deputies responded Thursday to a report of a catalytic converter theft in the Foley area.

The business owner stated he confronted two suspects that were trying to steal catalytic converters off of his work vehicles. Once confronted, the suspects fled the area in a Jeep SUV. Deputies reviewed video footage of the suspect’s vehicle and passed the vehicle description on to patrol units in the south end of the county. 

Around 2 a.m., a deputy patrolling the Gulf Shores area spotted a vehicle matching the description of the suspect SUV at a convenience store. The deputy spoke to the occupants and eventually arrested them for the catalytic converter theft. 

Both Jonathan Hunter, 37, and Stephanie Newland, 36, of Ashland, Tennessee, were booked into the Baldwin County Corrections Facility just before 8 a.m. on Friday on charges of unlawful breaking and entering of a motor vehicle; possession of burglar tools, unlawful possession of a controlled substance; and unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia.

According to the release, Hunter and Newland were found in possession of several catalytic converters, cutting tools, narcotics and drug paraphernalia. Both are wanted out of Tennessee for active warrants and are listed as in jail without bond.