Catalytic Converter Thieves Arrested in Collaborative Law Enforcement Effort

On May 9th, BCSO deputies backed up Tennessee Highway Patrol troopers in stopping Thomas Barnhill and Travis Howard walking along I-75 near mile marker 27. Upon making contact with the two pedestrians, troopers discovered Barnhill and Howard were carrying cutting tools and a recently cut catalytic converter.

Cleveland Police Department officers and BCSO patrol deputies responded to assist the troopers, along with investigators from THP and BCSO. The collaborative investigation discovered that the suspects were coming from a business on Frontage Road where they cut the catalytic converter from a vehicle stored there. Additionally, the investigators determined that the same suspects had burglarized a building at the same business in April.

Barnhill and Howard were booked into the Bradley County Jail. Both were charged with Burglary, two counts of Felony Vandalism, and three counts of Theft under $1000. Barnhill was also charged with Possession of Drug Paraphernalia that he was discovered to be in possession of at the time of his arrest.