4 linked to theft ring face new charges
Four Michigan residents linked to an alleged catalytic converter theft ring are facing additional charges in Butler County.
Slippery Rock University police last week was the latest department to file cases against the defendants — Demetrius K. Williams, 21, and Kelvin D. Williams, 25, both of Detroit; and Jordan R. Klinefelter, 22, and Myracle D. Hall, 20, both of Roseville.
All four suspects are accused of stealing the catalytic converters from three vehicles Nov. 21 parked at SRU's East Lake parking lot in Slippery Rock Township.
Police estimated the total loss of the Slippery Rock thefts at $2,700.
District Judge Bill O'Donnell on Thursday arraigned Kelvin Williams and Klinefelter on three felony counts each of theft and receiving stolen property. Williams and Klinefelter are being held in the Butler County Prison in lieu of $175,000 bond and $60,000 bond, respectively.
Demetrius Williams and Hall are wanted on arrest warrants that police obtained Tuesday.
Cranberry Township police previously charged the same four defendants in connection with the theft of four catalytic converters from vehicles Nov. 21 parked at stores on Route 19.
Cranberry Township police estimated the total loss of those thefts at $5,000.Klinefelter and Hall also are charged with stealing four catalytic converters in November in Grove City, Mercer County.SRU police said their investigation began Nov. 21 with multiple reports of catalytic converter thefts.A catalytic converter is an important part of the exhaust system that is found in front of the vehicle's muffler. It reduces the amount of toxic chemicals released from the engine.Converters often are stolen and sold for scrap, authorities say, because the platinum and other rare metals used in the pollution control devices are valuable.Thieves typically use saws or snipping tools to remove the devices. The process can take a matter of minutes.During their investigation, SRU police found that converters had been taken from two sport utility vehicles and a car, all that were parked at the East Lake lot.While reviewing surveillance video from the campus, police said, investigators identified two suspicious vehicles — a Chevrolet Equinox with Michigan license plates and a Hyundai Tucson with Florida plates — seen at the lot at the time of the thefts.
Police said that they also learned of two other investigations — one in Cranberry Township and the other in Conway, Beaver County — that helped solve their case.Cranberry Township police said they investigated the thefts of catalytic converters Nov. 21 from four vehicles at parking lots at three stores on Route 19.Traffic cameras captured video images of a Chevy Equinox and a Hyundai Tucson that matched the descriptions of the vehicles in the SRU police case, according to court documents.Cranberry police said they subsequently determined both vehicles were “involved with the catalytic converter thefts” in their township. They also learned that both vehicles were rentals.Conway police later in the afternoon of Nov. 21 tried to stop the Equinox, investigators said. The attempted traffic stop led to a police pursuit and ended with the Equinox crashing.Hall, the driver, immediately was taken into custody. Her passenger, Klinefelter, fled on foot but was quickly caught.Later recovered from the Equinox, documents stated, were 24 catalytic converters.Conway police charged Hall with fleeing or attempting to elude police, a felony, and resisting arrest, a misdemeanor, as well as three traffic violations.Klinefelter was arraigned on misdemeanor charges of resisting arrest and disorderly conduct. He and Hall were placed in the Beaver County Prison. Hall on Nov. 23 was released after posting $25,000 bail.Later on Nov. 23, Moon Township police in Allegheny County located and stopped the Hyundai Tuscon. Hall, Kelvin Williams and Demetrius Williams were in vehicle.Moon Township police also found a backpack in the vehicle that contained a reciprocating saw and several reciprocating blades.
Cranberry Township police said they interviewed Hall and both Williamses. Investigators said they believe all four defendants on Nov. 19 traveled from Michigan to Pennsylvania.“Through the interviews,” according to documents, “it was learned the intent of traveling to Pennsylvania was to steal catalytic converters from specific vehicles due to their value.”Police suspect Kelvin and Demetrius Williams were in the Tuscon, and Hall and Klinefelter were in the Equinox during the alleged thefts in Cranberry Township.Demetrius Williams “cut at least four catalytic converters,” police said, and the devices “were placed into Hall and Klinfelter's vehicle after they were removed.”Cranberry police on Nov. 24 charged Kelvin and Demetrius Williams and on Nov. 25 charged Klinefelter. They were all arraigned on 10 felony charges including corrupt organizations, conspiracy and theft.Their cases are pending in Butler County court. According to court records, Demetrius Williams was released from the Butler County Prison on Dec. 12 after posting $25,000 bail.On Dec. 11, Cranberry Township police charged Hall with seven felonies including corrupt organizations and conspiracy. Police have an arrest warrant for her.Grove City police, meanwhile, charged Klinefelter and Hall in connection with the theft of catalytic converters from four vehicles in the borough Nov. 21.Klinefelter's case is pending in Mercer County court. Hall is wanted on an arrest warrant.
