West Lafayette residents charged for catalytic converter theft

CARMEL, Ind. (WISH) - Two West Lafayette, Ind. residents face theft charges after two alert Carmel, Ind. store employees observed them acting suspiciously.

Carmel Police say the employees knew that several catalytic converters had been stolen from vehicles in the area. They became suspicious when a silver Ford Taurus drove slowly through their parking lot.

One of the employees went outside and watched as man got out of the Taurus, climbed underneath a Toyota Rav-4, climbed back out and put something in the Taurus’ trunk. The two suspects then drove off.

The employee got into his car, called 9-1-1 and began to follow the Taurus.

Officers caught up with the Taurus and initiated a traffic stop. Police searched the vehicle and found three catalytic converters in the trunk. The suspects were then taken into custody.

Carmel Police identify the suspects at 23-year-old Jeanne A. Swisher and 28-year-old Theron W. Moss. Both were arrested on charges of theft and possession of paraphernalia