Two men are charged, including one who remains a wanted fugitive, in a multi-jurisdictional spree of thefts of catalytic convertors in Lancaster County.
Zachery Ryan Martin, 31, and Jonathan Robert Evans, 39, are charged with targeting parked vehicles and removing catalytic convertors, then selling them at a location in Harrisburg for large amounts of cash.
The pair are believed to have sold the convertors stolen during the six-month spree for about $100,000.
Martin and Evans are each charged with dozens of felony counts of theft by unlawful taking, receiving stolen property, theft of secondary metal and related misdemeanors.
Both are presumed innocent.
Northwest Regional police Detective Chuck Tobias and Susquehanna Regional police Detective L. Jeffrey Sosnoski filed most of the charges this month. Mount Joy Borough police (against both) and East Cocalico Township police (against Evans; pending with Martin) also filed charges.
Assistant District Attorney Mark Fetterman consulted with police and approved the filing of charges.
The spree was revealed when the pair was caught in the act on Oct. 29, attempting to steal a device in East Hempfield Township.
A pursuit followed and Martin was taken into custody. Evans eluded police. He is wanted on multiple felony warrants.
Evans’ last known address was in Jonestown Road in Harrisburg. Anyone with information about Evans (in photo) should contact their local police department.
The pair targeted larger vehicles – box trucks, SUVs and pickup trucks – because those vehicles were easier to work under and contained larger, more valuable convertor devices.
Martin, charged with over 200 felonies, posted via a bondsman $65,000 bail. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Dec. 22.
Evans is charged with nearly 200 felonies.
The investigation is ongoing and additional charges are expected.
MEDIA CONTACT: Brett A. Hambright, 717-295-2041; bhambright@co.lancaster.pa.us; Twitter: @BrettHambright