Columbus, IN—Three people were arrested early Wednesday morning as a result of an ongoing investigation into a string of nearly 50 catalytic converter thefts that have occurred in Columbus and Bartholomew County since late last year. Law enforcement officers from the Columbus Police Department’s Intelligence-Led Policing Unit, which consists of officers from the Columbus Police Department and the Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Department, spotted a vehicle on Tuesday evening that they suspected was associated with several catalytic converter thefts on Columbus’ west side. The investigation led officers to a Columbus motel where they served a search warrant in the early morning hours of February 5th.
During the warrant service, the officers located three suspects in the motel room along with multiple cutting tools consistent with devices used in removing catalytic converters, as well as drugs, drug paraphernalia, a handgun, and a possible stolen catalytic converter.
The following persons were arrested with 48 hour holds on the preliminary charges below as part of the ongoing investigation:
Darren D. Morgan, 38, of Saint Paul, was arrested on allegations of Three Counts of Theft, Maintaining a Common Nuisance, Possession of Heroin, Unlawful Possession of a Syringe, Possession of a Controlled Substance, and Possession of Marijuana.
Johnnie Hagan, 48, of Columbus, was arrested on allegations of Three Counts of Theft, Maintaining a Common Nuisance, and Possession of Heroin.
Daniel E. Morgan, 35, of Columbus, was arrested on allegations of Three Counts of Theft with a Prior Conviction, Maintaining a Common Nuisance, Unlawful Possession of a Syringe, and Possession of Marijuana.
