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Catalytic converters, shopping cart thefts prompt new arrests

Christopher Wayne Allman

PARKERSBURG — Crimes involving the theft of shopping carts and catalytic converters brought in two additional Parkersburg men into custody this week.

As previously reported, two were arrested and charged with conspiracy to commit grand larceny, conspiracy to commit a felony and destruction of property after attempting to steal two catalytic converters from a vehicle at the southside Lowe’s parking lot.

Christopher Wayne Allman, 37, 190 Barnstable Drive, Parkersburg, is facing the same charges after conspiring with Scott Dewayne Bush, 41, and Crystal Nichole Ventimiglia, 34, to steal the car parts, according to a criminal complaint filed with the Wood County Magistrate Court.

Last fall, Allman and Bush cut off two catalytic converters in the parking lot while Ventimiglia was the “lookout,” the complaint said.

The vehicle was damaged in the process causing a total of about $3,500 in damage, the complaint said.

Scott Dewayne Bush

Allman was being held at North Central Regional Jail on a $10,000 surety bond.

At least 45 catalytic converters had been stolen within the past year, according to the Parkersburg Police Department.

“These thefts have occurred during the daytime and nighttime at locations such as department stores, churches, auto body shops and from business owners costing thousands of dollars in damage,” the department said. “The theft of catalytic converters is a national problem because they contain precious metals that can be sold and recycled marking the theft of the very profitable.”

The arrest of Allman, Bush and Ventimiglia along with Brian Keith Sidwell, 40, and Jason Lee Bartimus is the result of an investigation by Detective J.D. Hart.

“The investigation is ongoing with more arrests expected. The Parkersburg Police Department would like to thank the Washington County Ohio Sheriff’s Department and Wood County Sheriff’s Department for their assistance in these investigations,” the department said.

Crystal Nichole Ventimiglia

Another theft took place this week involving 50 shopping carts that were stolen from Rural King.

Thomas Edward Carpenter, 49, 917 Camden Ave., Parkersburg, allegedly stole the 50 carts valued at $3,750, according to a criminal complaint field through the Wood County Magistrate Court.

Carpenter then took the carts to R and J’s Recycling for scrap metal when he was found with the carts in his truck, the complaint said.

He is being charged with grand larceny and was released on a $5,000 surety bond.

Candice Black can be reached at cblack@newsandsentinel.com.

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