PORTSMOUTH, Va. – Portsmouth Police arrested 2 men Monday morning after observing suspicious activity at a used car dealership.
Around 4 a.m., an officer observed the suspicious activity at a used car dealer in the 2500 block of Airline Boulevard. As the officer pulled up several people ran, and another fled in a vehicle.
34-year-old Terrell Clay, of Richmond, was arrested at the scene and 23-year-old Spen’Shawn Battle was stopped in a vehicle nearby.
Officials say both had multiple catalytic converters in their possession. Clay and Battle were charged with grand larceny, larceny with intent to sell, conspiracy, and destruction of property. Battle was additionally charged with a second offense of carrying a concealed weapon.
They were both released on bond.
Police say they discovered more than 10 vehicles at the used car dealer had their catalytic converters removed. Officers seized three suspect vehicles, two handguns, and 10 catalytic converters at the scene.
Several other people were not immediately apprehended, and the investigation is ongoing.
Officials provided an update on the situation Friday.
During the investigation, detectives executed search warrants on three vehicles and recovered several stolen items at the scene, including 22 stolen catalytic converters, cutting tools and burglary tools.
Detectives positively identified and returned 18 catalytic converters to the original victim at the 2500 block of Airline Boulevard. Detectives also identified and returned two catalytic converters stolen from another victim in the 3400 block of High Street.
Additional charges were obtained based on the results of the investigation.
Breyon Warren, 24, of Richmond has been charged with grand larceny, larceny with intent to sell, conspiracy and destruction of property. For the second incident at the 3400 block of High Street, he was also charged with grand larceny, larceny with intent to sell, conspiracy and destruction of property.
Clay has been charged with grand larceny, larceny with intent to sell, conspiracy, and destruction of property for the second incident at the 3400 block of High Street.
Officials say both Warren and Clay have yet to be arrested on the additional charges.
Anyone who has information about this crime is urged to call the Portsmouth Police Department’s Criminal Investigation Division at (757) 393-8536 or to submit an anonymous tip through the Portsmouth Crime Line at 1-888-LOCK-U-UP ℠. Callers can also submit an anonymous tip through the Crime Line’s “P3 Tips” app or visit their website at www.portscrimeline.com. As always, Crime Line tipsters are never asked to give their name or required to testify in court. If a crime line caller’s tip leads to an arrest, the recovery of drugs or stolen property they could be eligible for a cash reward of up to $1000.
