State police have busted up a four-person catalytic converter theft ring that operated in Westmoreland and Indiana counties, causing more than $75,000 in lost property and damage. Two of the suspects are from Blairsville, one from Derry, and one from New Florence.
The big break in the case came when police caught 44-year-old Vince Skillings on October 30th near the Valero Century RV Mega Center in Salem Township. He allegedly told them he’d been acting as a lookout and gave up the names of two more suspects, 27-year-old Steven Aukerman of Blairsville and his aunt, 56-year-old Debbra Lynn McAdams, also of Blairsville. Under later questioning, McAdams named the fourth suspect, 25-year-old William Glover III of New Florence. McAdams told police that she served as the getaway driver and Aukerman and Glover cut the catalytic converters from parked vehicles between October 10th and November 8th, with Skillings serving as a lookout.
All four suspects have been charged in Westmoreland County. All but Glover have criminal histories in both Westmoreland and Indiana counties. Charges in the theft ring are being prosecuted in Westmoreland County.
