A local man has been arrested for a long list of catalytic converter thefts in the county between September and November; another individual has been implicated but not yet arraigned in the case.
Kaleb Crawley, 29, of Bedford, faces a multitude of theft, criminal mischief and trespassing charges, from felonies, to misdemeanors, to summary offenses, stemming from multiple incidents across the county. Alleged thefts are listed from the Bedford Speedway, Woodbury, Hopewell, and downtown Bedford, among other places. Vehicles run the range from family cars, to pick-up trucks, to plows, according to police reports.
There are six cases filed against Crawley. The charges also include other thefts allegedly committed during the auto parts thefts. In total, he is facing the following charges: four relating to second degree felony theft, three for third degree felony theft, three for first degree misdemeanor theft, five related to third degree misdemeanor criminal mischief, and five each for summary offenses for criminal mischief and trespass.
State police said about 20 cases of catalytic converter thefts were reassigned to an officer, who compiled a list of suspects that included Crawley, the other man, and a juvenile. The officers also identified two vehicles likely used in the commission of the crimes that were observed on video surveillance when the incidents occurred, according to the criminal complaint.
Crawley and the other individual allegedly cut off a catalytic converter from a vehicle on Dec. 7, and attempted to sell it in Maryland, according to police reports. The pair were stopped by troopers for an alleged vehicle code violation and taken to the state police barracks for questioning on the thefts. Both men were interviewed during the early morning hours of Dec. 8. A search warrant of one of the vehicles police suspected to be involved turned up a freshly cut catalytic converted, reports indicate.
Crawley allegedly admitted to more than 20 catalytic converter thefts, as well as theft of a hitch and tools, and in one case a theft of tools valued at $4,700. Values of the auto parts thefts associated with the crimes are listed from $3,150 to $210. Also included were charges related to the theft of a hitch and tools, listed as a $549 loss, and criminal mischief costs.
Crawley’s bail was set at $320,000 straight.
A preliminary hearing date has not yet been set.
Contact Heather Koontz at hkoontz@bedfordgazette.com; 814-623-1151, ext. 150.
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