ASHEBORO, N.C. — Four men have been arrested and face a combined 69 felony charges following a multi-week investigation into a catalytic converter and copper theft ring operating across northwestern Randolph County.
The Randolph County Sheriff’s Office announced the arrests at a press conference on April 1, 2022, revealing an investigation that led to raids in Trinity, Archdale, Thomasville and High Point.
Investigation
Investigators received tips from citizens about catalytic converter and copper thefts in the area. One tip identified a U-Haul truck seen at multiple theft locations. The Sheriff’s Office identified Ricky Shawn Morris as the person who leased the truck.
On March 9, 2022, deputies located Morris and the U-Haul at a residence on Beckerdite Road in Sophia. A search of the truck’s cab revealed methamphetamine, paraphernalia and burglary tools. Deputies also located a trailer at the residence that Morris was being investigated for stealing by the High Point Police Department.
Morris was arrested, and the U-Haul was seized as evidence. On March 10, investigators obtained a search warrant for the truck’s contents and found multiple catalytic converters and related burglary tools.
Additional suspects
Investigators determined that other suspects were using a residence on Eastward Avenue in High Point as the “hub of their criminal activity.” The Sheriff’s Office Disaster Assistance Response Team conducted surveillance on the residence and another home on Bethel Drive.
On March 10, 2022, at 3 p.m., police executed a search warrant at the Eastward Avenue residence. They found multiple catalytic converters, backpacks containing evidence, suspected methamphetamine and suspected heroin. Christopher Allen Bolling and James Vincent Kennedy Jr. were arrested at the residence.
Charges
Ricky Shawn Morris is charged with felony possession of methamphetamine, felony possession of burglary tools, felony possession of a stolen motor vehicle, misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia, three counts of felony possession of stolen goods or property, felony attempted larceny, felony aid and abet to obtain property by false pretense, misdemeanor injury to personal property and felony larceny in Guilford County. He is being held on a $50,000 total secured bond plus electronic house arrest.
Christopher Allen Bolling is charged with eight counts of felony larceny of motor vehicle parts, 11 counts of felony possession of stolen goods or property, felony possession of methamphetamine, felony possession of heroin, felony possession of burglary tools, five counts of felony obtain property by false pretense, three counts of felony attempted larceny, felony larceny of a motor vehicle, misdemeanor possession of stolen goods or property and three counts of misdemeanor injury to personal property. He is being held on a $46,000 total secured bond plus electronic house arrest.
James Vincent Kennedy Jr. is charged with eight counts of felony larceny of motor vehicle parts, 11 counts of felony possession of stolen goods or property, felony possession of burglary tools, three counts of felony attempted larceny and three counts of misdemeanor injury to personal property. He is being held on a $40,000 total secured bond.
Christopher Cole Lawson was served a warrant on March 11, 2022, while confined in the Guilford County Detention Center and received a $500 secured bond. On March 19, 2022, he was served additional warrants in Alamance County for felony possession of burglary tools and three counts of felony possession of stolen goods or property and received a $1,000 secured bond. He is charged with felony larceny of motor vehicle parts, four counts of felony possession of stolen goods or property and felony possession of burglary tools. His total secured bond is $1,500. All suspects have a court date scheduled for April 25, 2022, in Randolph County District Court.
Legislative response
Sheriff Greg Seabolt said the Sheriff’s Office would pursue lengthier sentences in these cases. A new state law, which went into effect Dec. 1, 2021, makes stealing a catalytic converter a Class I felony with a mandatory $1,000 fine.
The law, sponsored by state Sen. Dave Craven, requires secondary metals recyclers to maintain electronic records of all purchases of regulated metals. It also bans possession of a catalytic converter removed from a motor vehicle unless the person has vehicle registration showing it’s a replacement or is an authorized scrap metal buyer or recycler.
Prevention tips
To prevent catalytic converter theft, authorities recommend: etching your license plate number or vehicle identification number onto the catalytic converter to make the part traceable if recovered; parking in well-lit areas, as most thefts occur from cars parked overnight; and installing anti-theft devices such as metal shields or cable systems to prevent removal of the converter.
The Sheriff’s Office said the investigation is ongoing and additional charges may be filed. Anyone with information is asked to contact Randolph County Crime Stoppers.
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